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
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
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
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
-
The bar claims the firm refused to remove the attorney’s name from its website for years, ignoring a cease and desist letter from McBratney’s new employer.—
Rebecca Ellis,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Andersen advises ignoring any one particular economic indicator in favor of looking at longer term trends.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Perhaps the Easter bunny got a little hungry after hiding all those eggs.—
Laura Fenton,
Parents,
5 Mar. 2026
-
From the dealmakers in the Polo Lounge to the celebs hiding away in the spacious bungalows, all manner of tastemakers and wannabes have stopped by the Pink Palace at some time or another.—
Tim Chester,
Robb Report,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The gym too is stylishly designed—with hemlock floors and forgiving lights—and the fitness equipment is up-to-date, if unfortunately not sourced from Olympus itself.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Mar. 2026
-
As is Lauren soft-forgiving her but refusing to share her Champagne.—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
That contrast — a polished surface concealing something sinister — appears to define the show’s visual and emotional language.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
6 Mar. 2026
-
A day before the council met to discuss the new legislation, the Milwaukee Police Department modified its policies to explicitly prohibit officers from concealing their identity with face masks.—
Vanessa Swales,
jsonline.com,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Cobblestone streets and Spanish colonial landmarks give the compact downtown a European feel, anchored by the 17th-century Castillo de San Marcos overlooking Matanzas Bay.—
Carrie Honaker,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Dining includes Cut by Wolfgang Puck and the BLVD overlooking Rodeo Drive.—
Tim Chester,
Robb Report,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Other officers then deployed at least three tear gas canisters seconds later, obscuring the entire scene in a cloud of chemicals.—
Bob Ortega,
CNN Money,
10 Mar. 2026
-
This feature can also be applied on an app-by-app basis and/or just to notifications, obscuring part of the screen.—
Iyaz Akhtar,
PC Magazine,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
On one hand, no one ever wants to repeat the Dolphins’ sin of passing over Drew Brees in free agency in 2006.—
Jeff Howe,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The software simulates wind passing over the avatar, computational fluid dynamics calculate how much resistance there is — and how tweaking a skater’s form alters that.—
Howard Fendrich,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The trumpet creeper climbs by aerial roots to heights of 30 to 40 feet and will grow in the most challenging spots, covering an ugly wall, fence, or other structure in one growing season.—
Zoe Gowen,
Southern Living,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Taking a job with the post office to support his growing family, Mosley in the 1950s worked side gigs writing for the Pittsburgh Courier and for the magazines Ebony, Sepia, and Jet, covering jazz and sports.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Papering over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/papering%20over. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
