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
-
That is it for Elena, who marches out of the galley and up the Katina’s many levels, storming past wide-eyed stews and unsuspecting guests, ignoring the fact that service has basically already started, in order to reach Jason on the sundeck.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Sable has been accused of repeatedly ignoring the directives of state and local officials, as well as committing criminal acts related to California environmental and coastal laws.—
Grace Toohey,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
For example, replacing a child’s dropped ice cream cone or lost balloon, hiding small treats where others can find them.—
Marla Jo Fisher,
Oc Register,
26 Mar. 2026
-
These mushrooms are notorious for hiding just underneath the surface.—
Natalie Krebs,
Outdoor Life,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
My third was forgiving; there were a lot of critics in the house on my night.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2026
-
My third was forgiving; there were a lot of critics in the house.—
Chris Jones,
New York Daily News,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The justices sided with the parents suing over the California policy of concealing children’s gender transitions, which the school facilitates, from parents.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Forcibly disappearing people has long been a tactic by cartels to consolidate control through terror while also concealing homicide numbers.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Her burial site wasn’t far from where other prehistoric remains have been discovered over the years, on what was once a bluff overlooking the river.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Over on the west coast, in Pizzo Calabro, evenings often revolve around pizza at Forte della Monacella, an absolutely gorgeous restaurant with an outdoor terrace overlooking the sea.—
Jenna Curcio,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Frankly, it’s been hard to keep up—and the BlackRock CEO wrote that the drama and uncertainty threatened by day-to-day headlines may be obscuring longer-term trends.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The secretive giving is the latest example of how outside groups are obscuring their spending in competitive campaigns.—
Clara Ence Morse,
Washington Post,
21 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
-
Combined, the payouts to the two Brooklyn exonerees — covering a collective 40-plus years behind bars — were less than what Chicago would end up paying for Sierra’s 22 years’ imprisonment.—
Joe Mahr,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
-
With the base loaded and one out, Los Alamitos popped up a bunt that third baseman Kimmie McDonnell snagged and alertly tossed to shortstop Mazzotti covering third base for an inning-ending double play.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Papering over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/papering%20over. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
