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
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Recent Examples of papered over
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 league wins over Brighton, Tottenham and Wolves papered over the cracks in patchy performances as the champions climbed back into the top four.
—James Pearce, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026
Underneath, its windows are artfully papered over with construction paper clouds.
—Kansas City Star, 22 Nov. 2025
The recent San Diego fee increases, which aside from Measure C were not directly approved by voters, will help but won’t solve the city’s structural budget deficit that has been papered over for years.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Oct. 2025
While political violence decreased, his heavy-handed rule papered over France’s wounds without healing them.
—Time, 21 Oct. 2025
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
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
Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
But not all differences can be papered over.
—Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Recent league wins over Brighton, Tottenham and Wolves papered over the cracks in patchy performances as the champions climbed back into the top four.
—James Pearce, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026
Underneath, its windows are artfully papered over with construction paper clouds.
—Kansas City Star, 22 Nov. 2025
The recent San Diego fee increases, which aside from Measure C were not directly approved by voters, will help but won’t solve the city’s structural budget deficit that has been papered over for years.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Oct. 2025
While political violence decreased, his heavy-handed rule papered over France’s wounds without healing them.
—Time, 21 Oct. 2025
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
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
-
Though panned by critics and ignored by the public, the movie shows the struggles of a boy born on Mars to one of the first colonists.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The Cuban government has ignored urgent warnings from doctors and political analysts about the dire situation.—
Sarah Moreno
Updated February 19,
Miami Herald,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The pressure to keep exile concealed—to keep it invisible—mounts when disclosing the reasons motivating the journey would put travelers at risk.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Clarke and two others whose mothers also concealed their pregnancies from Nazi guards are among the youngest survivors of the Holocaust.—
Lesley Stahl,
CBS News,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
After Pratt’s sentencing, Foster and several of the victims said the copyrights issue was an important and overlooked part of his plea agreement and sentence.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Nutrition and chronic disease prevention cannot be overlooked either.—
Sreedhar Potarazu,
Baltimore Sun,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Bartlett had been affiliated with the abolitionist movement during his time attending Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, Krupa explained.—
Molly Morrow,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
-
As the coverage increases to about 80%, shadows on the ground begin to sharpen and lose their fuzzy edges, the light around you dims, and shadows start to look curved, Young explained.—
Lily Hautau,
CNN Money,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But for the past several days, that façade has been obscured by a giant inflatable rat.—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Dedication sifts through the turmoil and joy of Mirah’s life with an intimacy rarely obscured by obliquity or metaphor.—
Zach Schonfeld,
Pitchfork,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Her accessories, much like her clothing, were tight in number but deliberate in choice—subtle details that gained meaning through repetition—much of which is routinely passed over today in comparison to her clothing.—
Julia Rabinowitsch,
Vogue,
20 Feb. 2026
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What is true, however, even before Crosby’s injury, is that the torch had started to be passed over gradually to McDavid.—
Pierre LeBrun,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Crystal Walk promenade, stretching over about a third of a mile, or 450 meters, provides shade under artificial branches covered in 10 tons of crystals that give it its name.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
-
These particles are covered with tiny chain-like structures that interact with metal ions in solution.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The use of deadly force against Christopher Lindner by police officers was legally justified under Ohio law, according to an investigation by the Adams County Prosecutor's Office.—
Gillian Stawiszynski,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Field added that Eli Lilly’s premium valuation is justified due to its significant leadership and the depth of pipeline assets in key therapeutic areas.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Papered over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/papered%20over. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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