PAPERING OVER Synonyms: 94 Similar and Opposite Words

papering over

verb

present participle of paper over

as in ignoring

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

as in hiding

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 papering over But many residents worry that the festive mood and infrastructure works risk papering over the security crisis that still affects their daily lives. — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 4 June 2026 The improvement between Gemini 2 and Gemini 3 may be papering over a more serious flaw. — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 8 Apr. 2026 Yet the money manager remains hopeful that fiscal stimulus — more government spending coupled with consumer and business tax breaks — from last year's One Big Beautiful Bill will start to take effect in a few months, papering over any nascent economic weakness. — Sarah Min, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2026 If lawmakers are serious about affordability and homeownership, this is the structural reform that actually solves the problem rather than papering over it. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026 But the results were papering over some crumbly performances. — Carl Anka, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for papering over

Verb

The 86-year-old woman accused the UFW Foundation and the César Chávez Foundation of enabling Chávez’s attacks, ignoring complaints, and covering up evidence of the incidents.

— Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Sofia, after 17 years, looks at this as a dead end in their relationship, another example of completely ignoring her needs, and maybe her unspoken desire to move back to their native Spain.

— Pete Hammond, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of ignoring

Verb

Who would’ve thought, for example, that Wallace was constantly hiding behind the lens of his trusty camera as a way to numb himself to the horrors of the world?

— Michael Rechtshaffen, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026
The horror heads are hyped, but this scaredy-cat will be hiding in the corner.

— Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of hiding

Verb

The Quebec duo’s face-concealing masks, geometrical hats and polka-dot fashion schemes might scream novelty, but its virtuosic, largely instrumental fare is the genuine article.

— Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026
This flattering style smooths the neck, concealing wrinkles and adding definition to the jawline by hiding a double chin or loose skin.

— Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of concealing

Verb

The store, with its eye-catching cat sculpture overlooking the entrance, is hard to miss on a bustling stretch of Magnolia Avenue in Burbank.

— Yvonne Villaseñor, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026
As with the entry foyer, multiple large windows effectively create a wall of glass overlooking the view, while sliding glass doors provide easy access to a rear deck that spans the rear of the home.

— James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of overlooking

Verb

Orwell was exploring the roles that euphemism, tangled syntax, and dying metaphors can play in obscuring the true intentions of a totalitarian state.

— Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2026
Forward vision is excellent because there’s no roof, A-pillars, or much of anything obscuring your view (the only model above the Signature Edition, called the Grand Touring, does include a roof of sorts).

— William Roberson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of obscuring

Verb

Related Articles The board previously resolved to erect new buildings for the Latino Museum and the American Women’s History Museum, passing over Arts and Industries.

— Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 21 Aug. 2026
The August 12 eclipse swept across the Northern Hemisphere, traveling from Russia to Spain and passing over parts of Greenland, Iceland and Portugal.

— Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of passing over

Verb

Both books combine new, headline-generating reporting with intel Wickersham has gathered over decades covering football.

— Aaron Reiss, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026
But since Harvey, then a senior at Oberlin College, was writing for the Oberlin Review, covering football was a rather tricky proposition.

— Jesse Dougherty, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of covering

Browse Nearby Words

papered over

papering over

paper money

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Papering over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/papering%20over. Accessed 17 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of papering over

verb

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