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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of papering over
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for papering over
Verb
-
That’s how Ciara found out that Amanda was spending so much time at West’s house while ignoring her calls.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
3 June 2026
-
Other Democrats argued that the plan does nothing for renters and noted that Republicans were ignoring high homeowners insurance rates, which are causing financial stress to more people.—
Lawrence Mower,
Miami Herald,
2 June 2026
Verb
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The woman’s daughter showed investigators video footage showing Robinson rifling through the woman’s drawers, selecting items and hiding them on her body.—
Kairi Lowery,
Miami Herald,
5 June 2026
-
Eggs or young cockroaches may be hiding in them.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Texas State wasn’t as forgiving.—
Jose de Jesus Ortiz,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
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The no-nonsense superstar probably wouldn’t have been so forgiving with his words.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
Verb
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Missing evidence raises the question of whether that will be grounds to dismiss the pending criminal case against a couple charged with allegedly using their two massage parlors as a front for prostitution, while concealing massive amounts of cash from taxes.—
Christin Lazerus,
Chicago Tribune,
27 May 2026
-
Shoplifting by concealing merchandise.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
26 May 2026
Verb
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Its 23 spacious rooms and suites, all with terraces or private gardens, have spectacular sea views and are nestled into a ridge overlooking a secluded cove near the medieval hilltop village of Ramatuelle.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 June 2026
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Sun, sea, sand and sangria have reigned supreme here for decades, from the hedonistic super clubs that provide its late-night soundtrack, to the beach bars overlooking its famous Balearic sunset.—
Jaymi McCann,
TheWeek,
4 June 2026
Verb
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Da Messina’s Annunciation famously excises the angel Gabriel, while Ghirri’s version further edits the event by also obscuring the Virgin herself.—
James Quandt,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
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The expression is aged in oak long enough to round the spirit without obscuring its herbal, earthy core.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Verb
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At about the same time, the National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for south-central Clay County and northwestern Jackson County as a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was passing over the metro.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
1 June 2026
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Jupiter's moons are in a chain of orbital resonances that could only have formed by the moons tugging gently on each other in passing over a long period of time, and crater records also suggest that Jupiter's moons are very, very old.—
Kiona N. Smith,
Space.com,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Then on April 3rd, 2020, the CDC recommended people ages 2 years and older wear a cloth face covering in public.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
-
Allison Schrager is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering economics.—
Allison Schrager,
Boston Herald,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Papering over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/papering%20over. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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