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
-
The litigation in that case resolved hundreds of lawsuits alleging the company ignored red flags while filling prescriptions for opioid pain medication.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Mun-ju doesn’t plan to fall for San-ho so quickly after her husband’s death, but the heightened emotion of life-or-death situations spur a sizzling chemistry and deep connection that cannot be ignored.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The defendants concealed the cash receipts from an accountant, who prepared their taxes, which led to the fraudulent omission of more than $17 million in gross sales from tax returns filed with the IRS.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
Footwear News,
1 Oct. 2025
-
The family travelled north from Central America for weeks, crossing rivers by night and riding concealed in smugglers’ trucks.—
Jon Lee Anderson,
New Yorker,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Then, in the wake of George Floyd's viral murder and the national reckoning over Black lives, institutions like the Recording Academy began redressing their historic role in Black artists being criminally overlooked.—
Rodney Carmichael,
NPR,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Both players’ poor performances, although different in nature, can’t be overlooked.—
James Boyd,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Brooks explained the white and brown pup was rescued from a cruelty case in South Carolina.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
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The effects of the RBI's outsized rate cut of 50 basis points in June have yet to filter through the economy, explained Malhotra, adding that the decision to hold rates steady was unanimous.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The other names on the list were obscured, leading to widespread fan speculation about his future opponents.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Oct. 2025
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Those numbers didn't make headlines and, some experts fear, were obscured by the death toll.—
Shaun McKinnon,
AZCentral.com,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Democrats are also hoping to repeal cuts to health care programs that were put in place as part of the GOP spending and tax bill that passed over the summer.—
The NPR Network,
NPR,
6 Oct. 2025
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Often, my opinions or feedback would be passed over in favor of other directions that the team wanted to steer the ship in.—
Blake Simons,
IndieWire,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Millais covered her body with flowers that signify love, pain, innocence, and faithfulness.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Unable to plausibly explain to the authorities what happened — or why she’s covered in her friends’ blood — Sarah is forced back to the subterranean depths to help locate her five missing companions.—
Caitlin White,
Variety,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Just a kid… but the hype feels justified.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Friday’s strike came a day after the administration justified its previous strikes in a memo to lawmakers, some of whom have expressed concerns about an overreach of executive power.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Papered over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/papered%20over. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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