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
-
Common laundry habits — ignoring dryer vent buildup, leaving wet clothes in the washer, using hot water on everything and skipping the washing machine gasket — can damage appliances, ruin fabrics and even create a fire risk.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
12 May 2026
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Among other things, ABC argued that it was being singled out for regulatory action while ignoring radio talk shows, which also are covered by the rule, and routinely feature candidates.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
11 May 2026
Verb
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Not every summer movie needs to be a mystery that unfolds hallway after hallway, with a creature hiding around every corner ready to pop out.—
Tracy Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
-
This means that bills get hearings, debates happen in public, and legislators are required to vote on issues instead of hiding behind process.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Hart has previously reflected on his feelings about his father and forgiving him for not being around for his childhood due to his struggles with drug addiction and multiple stints in jail.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
11 May 2026
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Yet he was also chided for too easily forgiving and embracing those who repented their anti-Jewish remarks.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
Clad in black and concealing their faces, the rioters hurled dangerous flares and pyrotechnics directly onto the playing surface.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
-
The tiered skirt adds visual interest while also concealing my lower stomach, and the fabric was breathable enough to keep me from melting during an outdoor ceremony in humid Iowa weather — no easy feat!—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
The pool sits on a sprawling terrace, overlooking the sea for maximum tranquility.—
Elly Leavitt,
Vogue,
14 May 2026
-
Continue to Totem Bight State Historical Park, where totems rise from a rainforest overlooking the Tongass Narrows.—
Josh Rivera,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Indeed, over the past several months, the Islamic Republic has responded to pressure not by simplifying its structure of authority, but by multiplying and obscuring the channels through which authority is exercised.—
Hamidreza Azizi,
Time,
9 May 2026
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Many slides are deteriorating – the mounting medium that holds the cover slips can yellow and crack with time, obscuring the specimens from view.—
Ingrid C. Romero,
The Conversation,
5 May 2026
Verb
-
On Sunday, May 3, a United Boeing 767-400 coming from Venice, Italy, came into contact with the pole while passing over a major roadway at a very low elevation on its final approach, the carrier confirmed in a statement shared with PEOPLE.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
4 May 2026
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The incident occurred when the plane was passing over the southbound lanes of the New Jersey Turnpike.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
4 May 2026
Verb
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Romano points out that, when Lincoln emerged as a dark horse in the 1860 Presidential race, journalists covering the election sometimes found Mary more impressive than her spouse.—
Thomas Mallon,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
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People struggling with student loans, in particular, must often choose between covering today’s bills and saving for tomorrow.—
Mary Moreland,
Fortune,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Papering over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/papering%20over. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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