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
The top line’s results do come with an asterisk, though — their goal differential is boosted by Ilya Sorokin’s superb play, which has papered over some of the line’s mediocre play-driving numbers.
—
Harman Dayal, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2026
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
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
Harman Dayal, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2026
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
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
-
The dog ignored him, and licked the boy’s face.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Mar. 2026
-
The forward mix can’t be ignored.—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The defendant concealed his scheme by falsely telling Helios’ auditor that Kaleidoscope had been used to pay legitimate MoviePass expenses from the 2018 Coachella festival, evidence shows.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Ali's identity has also been concealed by ABC News for his own safety.—
Desiree Adib,
ABC News,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The way the Dodgers have spent money in recent years, one area that often gets overlooked is their ability to draft, trade for and develop prospects.—
Jack Vita,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Mar. 2026
-
At one point, Santana and his roommate were recording the incident from their balcony, which overlooked the unit Diagne is believed to have lived in.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Big productivity gains might have explained things, but government data showed no sign of them.—
Paul Wiseman,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Among young adults with rectal cancer, 41% report rectal bleeding as their first symptom, compared with 27% of older adults, Dahut explained.—
Dr. Ishani D. Premaratne,
ABC News,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In some cases, the department inadvertently released nude photos showing the faces of potential victims as well as names, email addresses and other identifying information that was either unredacted or not fully obscured.—
Alanna Durkin Richer,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
-
In some cases, the department inadvertently released nude photos showing the faces of potential possible victims as well as names, email addresses and other identifying information that was either unredacted or not fully obscured.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 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
-
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 Drawing Room extends into a calm outdoor courtyard fenced off by French doors and covered by a canopy of latticed vines.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Tax is based on the price of oil once Russian producers have covered their costs of around $15 per barrel, so a fall in the price can substantially reduce revenue to the government.—
David McHugh,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The state argues Burton’s execution is justified.—
Abigail Brooks,
NBC news,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Most fatal encounters involving police in Oklahoma are ultimately ruled justified under state law, a pattern that mirrors national trends.—
Stephen Martin,
Oklahoma Watch,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Papered over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/papered%20over. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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