Synonyms of papered over

papered over

verb

past tense of paper over

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

• ignored
• overlooked
• explained
• passed over
• justified
• pardoned
• blinked (at)
• winked (at)
• brushed (aside or off)
• glossed (over)
• excused
• disregarded
• shrugged off
• discounted
• condoned
• forgave and forgot
• forgave
• remitted
• glozed (over)
• whitewashed
• overpassed
• closed one's eyes to
• rationalized
• exonerated
• vindicated
• acquitted
• waived
• absolved
• exculpated
• waved (aside or off)
• cleared

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• objected (to)
• noted
• marked
• heeded
• minded

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

• concealed
• hid
• obscured
• covered
• suppressed
• blotted out
• disguised
• masked
• covered (up)
• veiled
• cloaked
• shrouded
• blanketed
• screened
• enshrouded
• curtained
• overshadowed
• blocked
• buried
• belied
• occulted
• glossed (over)
• camouflaged
• smothered
• shaded
• varnished
• gilded
• eclipsed
• whitewashed
• darkened
• obstructed
• occluded
• overcast
• clouded
• beclouded
• bedimmed
• befogged

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• revealed
• displayed
• exposed
• showed
• disclosed
• presented
• brought out
• uncovered
• unveiled
• divulged
• bared
• published
• unmasked
• got out
• clarified
• uncloaked
• illuminated
• proclaimed
• advertised
• broadcast
• spread
• publicized
• aired

Example Sentences

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