1
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
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Recent Examples of papering over
Dee Winters undercut a pass and returned it 74 yards for a game-sealing score, papering over a shaky performance by the 49ers’ defense.
—
Michael Nowels, Mercury News, 23 Dec. 2025
But the results were papering over some crumbly performances.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
Michael Nowels, Mercury News, 23 Dec. 2025
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
-
And ignoring that fact is now no longer a laughing matter.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Parents react in different ways, from telling their potty-mouthed offspring to stop, to explaining why this is a bad habit, to ignoring the behavior, or even enforcing consequences as a punishment.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Almost everyone in Minneapolis knows someone who is hiding out.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Thus enters Workman at Booth’s house where Mason and Jessie are hiding.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Point is, this recipe is forgiving.—
Leah Donnella,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
22 Jan. 2026
-
But even if society were genuinely forgiving, there are many types of serious crimes.—
Judith Martin,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Low was fined $106,000 for concealing payments between his tech nonprofit and actor Alec Baldwin.—
Nicole Nixon,
Sacbee.com,
11 Jan. 2026
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You're required to disclose all assets, income sources and recent financial transactions during the bankruptcy process, and attempting to transfer property to friends or family before filing, concealing income or lying on your bankruptcy petition can have big repercussions.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Regina stood in front of the window overlooking the void that plunged down to the courtyard below, beyond the balcony railing.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Jan. 2026
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Most rooms already have an ocean view, considering this is a hillside overlooking the ocean—but upgrading to a sea-view suite with a private pool is well worth it for an extremely private, green patio with sun beds and swimming options just outside your room and overlooking the water.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
It's long been known that the spinning turbines of a wind farm can interfere with radar, obscuring legitimate targets and creating the appearance of false ones.—
Michael Copley,
NPR,
21 Jan. 2026
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With the program and song texts only available to download on the cellphone, the audience was left in the dark without texts and, with amplification obscuring diction, not knowing what’s what.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Alarmists will often focus on the negative while passing over potential positive outcomes.—
Jeff Mayhugh,
Washington Post,
5 Jan. 2026
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The epicenter of the hurricane is passing over Cuba at the opposite end of the island to the Caribbean country's capital city of Havana, the BBC noted.—
Abigail Adams,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
First District Legislator Manny Abarca is sponsoring a piece of legislation calling for law enforcement officers in Jackson County — including federal immigration officers — to be prohibited from covering their faces or badges while on the job.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
13 Jan. 2026
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Jackson Thompson is a sports reporter for Fox News Digital covering critical political and cultural issues in sports, with an investigative lens.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Papering over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/papering%20over. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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