PAPERED OVER Synonyms: 96 Similar and Opposite Words

papered over

verb

past tense of paper over

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

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 The emotional high of victory papered over the cracks, though. — The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 16 July 2026 The contradictions of their closeness aren’t papered over; the unease is allowed to linger, inflamed and ineradicable. — Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 9 July 2026 Clean sheets against an Australian team that barely attacked and a Bosnia and Herzegovina team that lacked punch going forward papered over huge problems in the defensive line. — Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 6 July 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for papered over

Verb

Many are ignored, cause unnecessary delays or are dismissed as noise.

— Subba Rao Katragadda, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
That’s why the thought of moving starter Michael King, closer Mason Miller or southpaw Adrian Morejon shouldn’t be ignored if someone is willing to overpay for one of them.

— Jim Bowden, New York Times, 17 July 2026

Definition of ignored

Verb

His remarkable body of work reminds us that the most profound dramas are often concealed within everyday life.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 17 July 2026
Missiles and launch vehicles can remain concealed until they are needed, limiting the time during which they are exposed to satellites, aircraft, and drones.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 14 July 2026

Definition of concealed

Verb

Mixing archive footage, audio testimony and contemporary filming, the documentary uncovers overlooked connections across the 20th and 21st centuries.

— John Hopewell, Variety, 17 July 2026
Many individuals may unknowingly be entitled to American or Canadian citizenship through birth or descent, a valuable inheritance often overlooked.

— Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of overlooked

Verb

Indeed, unlike vehicle drivers, in addition to forward, backwards, left or right, boat captains must consider heave, pitch, roll and yaw, while constantly adjusting for wind, waves and current, explained Foulkes.

— Ed Garsten, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Freedman explained that a good formula can replenish the skin with essential lipids and antioxidants, keeping it soft, resilient, and supple.

— Jenny Berg, Vogue, 17 July 2026

Definition of explained

Verb

The European Commission adopted the Delegated Act, which updates and simplifies the list of products covered by the EUDR, while the Implementing Act outlines the information system for submitting due diligence statements and simplified declarations.

— Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 16 July 2026
The bolts attaching this structure to the bottom of the spacecraft were then covered by plugs protecting them from the friction of re-entry.

— Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 16 July 2026

Definition of covered

Verb

Neill notably auditioned to play James Bond in 1987’s The Living Daylights, but was passed over for Timothy Dalton.

— Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 13 July 2026
Even so, gender-affirming care for youth is banned in 27 states after a flurry of laws passed over the last several years.

— Selena Simmons-Duffin, NPR, 13 July 2026

Definition of passed over

Verb

Why use glyphosate For well over a century, the state and federal government aggressively suppressed all fire in California forests — many of which were adapted to low-severity flames that rolled through the understory every five to 20 years.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
Ukraine's air force said Russia launched 123 drones into the country in its latest wave, of which 108 drones were shot down or suppressed.

— David Brennan, ABC News, 7 July 2026

Definition of suppressed

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paperbounds

papered over

papering over

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“Papered over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/papered%20over. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of papered over

verb

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