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

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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

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 Although the history of British colonialism is every bit as violent as the history of slavery, it’s just been papered over with Queen Victoria and niceties. — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 29 July 2026 The maintenance burden gets papered over until the next refactor exposes it. — Asad Khan, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026 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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for papered over
  1. ignored
  2. concealed
  3. overlooked
  4. obscured
  5. explained
  6. covered
  7. passed over
  8. suppressed
Verb
  • And while in some cases online classes can’t be ignored, the preference is that players attend in the classroom.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The Republican Party has ignored the national debt every time Republican presidents have signed bills that have cut taxes on the wealthy.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of ignored
Verb
  • Few works in the show are titled, boxes filled with objects remain closed (one is even tightly wrapped in cellophane), and canvases are stacked one atop the other like pizza boxes—content and images concealed.
    — Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The ivory and 175 pounds of big cat bones were concealed inside sawn timber in three containers, highlighting Vietnam’s role as a major regional hub for illicit wildlife trade.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of concealed
Verb
  • Google is a company that really does take your security seriously, and the work that goes on behind the scenes to make its ecosystem a safer place for all is often overlooked.
    — Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The ceremony space overlooked the vineyards and featured an aisle covered in white flower petals leading to a rectangular structure filled with even more white flowers.
    — Alexandra Macon, Vogue, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of overlooked
Verb
  • Weather permitting, the sun's outer atmosphere, which is normally obscured by the bright face of the sun, becomes visible during the moments of totality.
    — Raf Sanchez, NBC news, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Though, fittingly, part of the disclaimer was obscured by a tree branch when Bryant shared a photo of it on Instagram.
    — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of obscured
Verb
  • In an interview last year, Anthony Ciancio explained how the film was a labor of love, taking years to make.
    — Jesse Wright, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
  • McDowell explained that, as the rocket stage was left relatively close to the moon, it got repeatedly influenced by lunar gravity, eventually spiralling into its surface.
    — Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of explained
Verb
  • Others munched on popcorn and hot dogs covered with sweet corn relish and corn-bacon jam in anticipation of the game.
    — Dan Hayes, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Insurance coverage for the new vaccine In the absence of a recommendation from the CDC’s vaccine advisers, there also remains uncertainty around whether Moderna’s mRNA flu vaccine will be covered by insurance.
    — Elise Haulund, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of covered
Verb
  • However, buyers often focus exclusively on iconic designers such as Eames, Wegner, or Saarinen, but so many great pieces are passed over because they aren’t branded or made by these recognizable names, Hirsch explains.
    — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Craig will be inducted into the Hall on Saturday after being chosen from the seniors category after being passed over for years as higher profile 49ers players like Joe Montana, Jerry Rice and Young got the accolades.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 31 July 2026
Definition of passed over
Verb
  • Hydrogen evolution is therefore suppressed, leaving more opportunity for CO₂-derived pathways that produce carbon monoxide and formate.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 10 Aug. 2026
  • And the nastiest errors of all, the bit-flips, are suppressed to around one in a million operations.
    — John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of suppressed

Browse Nearby Words

paperbounds
papered over
papering over
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Cite this Entry

“Papered over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/papered%20over. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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