1
as in ignored
to dismiss as of little importance
the differences between the two factions are too great to be papered over in the name of party unity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in concealed
to keep secret or shut off from view
the company tried to paper over its red ink, issuing assurances that it was still financially sound
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of papered over
Results papered over the cracks as the performances were patchy.
—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
As Marvel moved into the world of media through cartoons and live action shows, his voice, likeness and persona became the glue that held Marvel’s story universes together and papered over shortcomings in early, cheap productions with wry humor.
—
Rob Salkowitz,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
The deficits were papered over with a series of short-term fixes, including loans and accounting gimmicks.
—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
19 May 2026
Her transgression is one of the worst things imaginable; in a way, what Emma is hiding stems from a societal ill that gets papered over every day.
—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
3 Apr. 2026
The structural failures that are the true roots of the region's turmoil—not Tehran—will go unaddressed, papered over by the noise and urgency of the conflict.
—
Frederic Wehrey,
Time,
24 Mar. 2026
Buried inside this success story is a growing fiscal problem that policymakers have quietly papered over for more than a decade.
—
Louis Sigaud,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Mar. 2026
Even so, personality disputes can be papered over if countries share mutual goals and interests.
—
Daniel Depetris,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
But not all differences can be papered over.
—
Jill Lawless,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
James Pearce,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
As Marvel moved into the world of media through cartoons and live action shows, his voice, likeness and persona became the glue that held Marvel’s story universes together and papered over shortcomings in early, cheap productions with wry humor.
—
Rob Salkowitz,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
The deficits were papered over with a series of short-term fixes, including loans and accounting gimmicks.
—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
19 May 2026
Her transgression is one of the worst things imaginable; in a way, what Emma is hiding stems from a societal ill that gets papered over every day.
—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
3 Apr. 2026
The structural failures that are the true roots of the region's turmoil—not Tehran—will go unaddressed, papered over by the noise and urgency of the conflict.
—
Frederic Wehrey,
Time,
24 Mar. 2026
Buried inside this success story is a growing fiscal problem that policymakers have quietly papered over for more than a decade.
—
Louis Sigaud,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Mar. 2026
Even so, personality disputes can be papered over if countries share mutual goals and interests.
—
Daniel Depetris,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
But not all differences can be papered over.
—
Jill Lawless,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for papered over
Verb
-
After years of exam leaks, persistently high youth unemployment, and opportunities slipping further out of reach, their simmering frustration is sparking a demand for accountability that many say can no longer be ignored.
-
Several states and agencies also charge for rescues, particularly when visitors have ignored warning signs.
Verb
-
Then the four co-owners emerge from the wine shop, waving wine bottles concealed in brown paper bags.
-
These rolling carts can add organization to any room in your home, and these rich-looking cabinets keep items contained and concealed.
Verb
-
Full of fresh summer favorites and ooey-gooey cheese, Zucchini, Squash, And Corn Casserole is not to be overlooked!
-
Who are some prospects being overlooked or overvalued?
Verb
-
Wernicke says that's wrong—and that the misattribution has obscured something important.
-
The documents in question include eight emails with either the sender or recipient blacked out, a draft indictment of Epstein with the names of potential co-conspirators obscured and a 2019 email that mentions several co-conspirators whose names were redacted.
Verb
-
Madonna explained that Netflix later connected with her to make a series based on her life and career, but the matter was complicated due to the star not being able to use the script from the Universal project.
-
Part of that difference can be explained by the concerns around capital expenditures.
Verb
-
Evidence markers covered at least three shell casings in the road near the cars.
-
The hot dog is covered like a pillow in a pillowcase.
Verb
-
Back in his coaching career, Cruyff was one of the first managers to be obsessed with the cut of the pitch — a trait that has passed over to his disciples, most notably the exacting Pep Guardiola.
-
Price and Rinne were selected in their second, with Henrik Zetterberg and Rod Brind’Amour among those passed over again.
Verb
-
Oracle Park’s spacious dimensions and San Francisco’s chilly climate have suppressed home runs for more than two decades, but this was a true no-doubt blast that cleared the left-center field fence by plenty of feet.
-
In effect, the program was suppressed and hidden rather than truly removed.
Cite this Entry
“Papered over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/papered%20over. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
