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
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for papered over
Verb
-
But documents released by the government in March, after being forced to by Parliament, showed Starmer ignored red flags raised by his staff about the appointment.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
America’s $39 trillion national debt has become a familiar political football—batted around in budget negotiations, invoked at congressional hearings, and largely ignored between elections.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Corey Elliott concealed his face leaving federal court in Boston on Tuesday after he was arrested on dogfighting charges.—
Juli McDonald,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Following an alert from a canine team, officers found 44 packages of cocaine concealed within the vehicle’s doors, back seat and rear quarter panels during a physical inspection.—
Brittany Miller,
FOXNews.com,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
What tends to be overlooked, in the aesthetic shock, is Proust’s elaborate hymn to its moral and spiritual implications.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Latinos are a fundamental part of American history and culture, and one of the largest communities in the United States, yet their presence in Hollywood has long been limited, stereotyped, or overlooked.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As co-founder of Jason Hyde Jewelry, Deborah Singer explained, people are often surprised to learn that each piece begins as plastic pulled from the ocean, transformed through upcycling.—
Najahe Sherman,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The client, Mukherjee explained, was in the midst of a life-threatening medical crisis.—
Sarah Stillman,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In the background, a spoked wheel leaned against the building on one side, and a man stared at the ground, his face nearly obscured by a cowboy hat.—
Jack Armstrong,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
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Investigators later said some records appeared to have been altered with White Out or obscured, allowing the spending to go unnoticed for months.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Famously passed over by American Idol producers, Amber Riley shows off her stellar pipes in the role of resident high school diva Mercedes Jones, always competing with Rachel Berry for the top spot in the glee club.—
James Mercadante,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Apr. 2026
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Just last year, an Indian movie that critics globally tipped as an Oscar winner was passed over by the same selection committee.—
Diaa Hadid,
NPR,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Zestt Dreamsoft Travel Scarf is the perfect thing to make sure you’re always covered (literally).—
Samantha Leal,
Travel + Leisure,
18 Apr. 2026
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The viral dessert, which uses minimal ingredients, is typically made with fresh Medjool dates filled with natural nut butter, then covered in dark chocolate and topped with flaky salt.—
Kelly McCarthy,
ABC News,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Senior Iranian leaders have repeatedly denied Israel’s legitimacy, predicted its destruction and framed that outcome as inevitable and justified.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
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Customs and Border Protection rules say that pepper balls and other projectiles should not be aimed at vulnerable areas such as the head or spine unless deadly force is justified.—
Rebekah Riess,
CNN Money,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Papered over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/papered%20over. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
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