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
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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
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Recent Examples of papered over
How many old game-management cracks were papered over a year ago by Shedeur, the best passer in school history, and Travis Hunter, the Buffs’ best-ever athlete?
—
Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 30 Aug. 2025
Billions in federal pandemic aid temporarily papered over structural deficits at Chicago Public Schools and in city government.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 26 Aug. 2025
Two late goals from Liverpool in the opening fixture of their Premier League campaign papered over some very big defensive cracks.
—Liam Tharme, New York Times, 17 Aug. 2025
The underlying fundamental challenges created by the countries’ deep divisions over their economic ties, the potential for conflict over Taiwan and other hotspots, and their competing visions of the international order can only be papered over for so long.
—Scott Kennedy, Time, 16 Aug. 2025
For all the talk of bold reforms since 2012, Xi has time and time again papered over China’s cracks with government stimulus.
—William Pesek, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 30 Aug. 2025
Billions in federal pandemic aid temporarily papered over structural deficits at Chicago Public Schools and in city government.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 26 Aug. 2025
Two late goals from Liverpool in the opening fixture of their Premier League campaign papered over some very big defensive cracks.
—Liam Tharme, New York Times, 17 Aug. 2025
The underlying fundamental challenges created by the countries’ deep divisions over their economic ties, the potential for conflict over Taiwan and other hotspots, and their competing visions of the international order can only be papered over for so long.
—Scott Kennedy, Time, 16 Aug. 2025
For all the talk of bold reforms since 2012, Xi has time and time again papered over China’s cracks with government stimulus.
—William Pesek, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for papered over
Verb
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Great Again hats and T-shirts emblazoned with Kirk’s face, ignored the registration queries and continued chatting with friends.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
27 Sep. 2025
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Although the federal law raising the tobacco purchase age to 21 took effect in 2019, many retailers either ignored the regulation or failed to check buyers’ ages.—
Stephanie Innes,
AZCentral.com,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Designers leaned into transparency, with diaphanous layers that revealed and concealed in equal measure.—
Essence,
Essence,
24 Sep. 2025
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According to police, Mauthe failed to disclose the infants' deaths, concealed their bodies by wrapping them in towels, placed them in plastic bags and totes, and hid them throughout the home.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Her mother, a beloved teacher who worked in the city’s public housing communities and juvenile detention system, often went beyond the classroom, visiting students’ homes, helping with homework and serving as a lifeline for kids, who society had overlooked.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
23 Sep. 2025
-
According to her, the team overlooked Cleveland coming into Sunday.—
Robert Marvi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Not everything that unfolds on a baseball field needs to be explained.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
-
In early January 2025, the Bureau of Land Management website explained the communities are in an area that climate change is rendering uninhabitable, mentioning climate eight times.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Patel has nonetheless accused Wray of lying and argued that the former FBI director's handling of questions from lawmakers obscured key facts.—
Emma Marsden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Sep. 2025
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The test event also demonstrated that the system can detect UAVs even if drones are partially obscured by buildings or clouds.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Yet, even healthy seniors were frequently passed over.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
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The sole exception is that the hosts of The View were passed over in this category in favor of Jenna Bush Hager and Hoda Kotb, hosts of Today With Hoda & Jenna (NBC).—
Paul Grein,
Billboard,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The interview covered a wide range of topics – how Hamas now regards October 7, the fate of the remaining hostages in Gaza, the state of ceasefire negotiations and the future of a post-war Gaza.—
Jeremy Diamond,
CNN Money,
26 Sep. 2025
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More than 50% of kids receive their vaccines from VFC, so this will impact their coverage, especially since the combo vaccine will no longer be covered.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
There’s been nothing diva-ish about Brown’s public comments — even if calling for the ball would have been justified.—
Zach Berman,
New York Times,
22 Sep. 2025
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His message was 180 degrees opposed to progressive ideologue professors who teach students that opposing speech is itself a threat and that violent responses are justified when their ideas are challenged.—
Amy Stephens,
Denver Post,
22 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Papered over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/papered%20over. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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