papering over

present participle of paper over
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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
  • So the notion of Moreau ignoring his family’s wishes and flying to Los Angeles to see his Devils isn’t novel.
    Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 8 June 2026
  • The city of Aledo is considering ordinances targeting e-bikes and golf carts following numerous complaints from residents that riders are ignoring traffic rules, running stop signs and disregarding pedestrians on sidewalks.
    Mary Ella Hastings June 8, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 June 2026
Verb
  • Officials found three passengers in the cabin and their suspect hiding in the lavatory, Bali immigration authorities said in a statement.
    CBS News, CBS News, 11 June 2026
  • The platforms that win will be the ones enabling accountable data access and transparent decision-making, not those hiding behind complexity.
    Ivan Guzenko, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
Verb
  • Texas State wasn’t as forgiving.
    Jose de Jesus Ortiz, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
  • The no-nonsense superstar probably wouldn’t have been so forgiving with his words.
    Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 27 May 2026
Verb
  • She was acquitted of concealing an individual to prevent arrest, a misdemeanor.
    CBS News, CBS News, 3 June 2026
  • In the roller coaster video, he is seen concealing a box of chicken nuggets before entering the park and later boarding Millennium Force.
    Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2026
Verb
  • The backstory Built on a bluff overlooking Treasure Island Beach, the hotel opened in 2003 as the flagship property of Montage Hotels & Resorts.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 June 2026
  • The opportunity to exchange their handwritten vows to one another at the Sveti Sava in Montenegro — a scenic outdoor venue overlooking the Adriatic Sea — was in part by chance, as Allen was already booked to perform on the cruise ship Oceania Allura in Italy at the very same time.
    Tricia Despres, PEOPLE, 11 June 2026
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Leander Schaerlaeckens is a long-time soccer writer and has worked for ESPN, FOX Sports, and Yahoo Sports, among others, covering the United States men’s national team at three World Cups.
    Leander Schaerlaeckens June 8, Literary Hub, 8 June 2026
  • Meanwhile, Nico Hoerner was the starting shortstop in Saturday’s lineup, with rookie infielder Pedro Ramírez covering second base, underlining the potential options for a club with several versatile defenders.
    Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 7 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Papering over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/papering%20over. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.

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