PAPERING OVER Synonyms: 94 Similar and Opposite Words

papering over

verb

present participle of paper over

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

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 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

Instead of ignoring the noise and letting the backlash blow over, Espinal showed up to the set and posted a video explaining to New Yorkers why, in the long term, productions like this are a boon to the city and its inhabitants.

— Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026
Also, one of the biggest risks in using generic off-the-shelf AI for abstracting real estate documents is that the AI model can produce and fill in a plausible value, ignoring what the source supports.

— Pranit Banthia, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of ignoring

Verb

This is precisely why one of your first purchases this season should be a fall jacket for women that complements and enhances your outfit, rather than hiding it.

— Irene Richardson, InStyle, 29 Sep. 2026
All told, the McCauleys stole at least $12 million, getting creative in hiding cash — by stuffing it into jars of spaghetti sauce, for example.

— Matt Grobar, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of hiding

Verb

The scourge of Steve Spurrier Spurrier took too many verbal jabs to list here and took special glee in beating the Dawgs, never forgiving them for beating his Florida Gators in his 1966 senior season, ruining their SEC championship hopes.

— The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Although these conditions may be difficult to maintain at home, onions are forgiving.

— Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of forgiving

Verb

Make roots easier to work around by concealing them with mulch or groundcovering plants that don’t need trimming.

— Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 28 Sep. 2026
Kingston Bradley of Smyrna, Georgia, was arrested and charged with concealing the death of another and malice murder in connection with Mosley’s death.

— Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of concealing

Verb

The clubhouse would have a bar, restaurant, locker rooms and verandas overlooking the golf course and tennis courts.

— Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026
Domaine Drouhin Oregon 2023 Arthur Chardonnay Dundee Hills Domaine Drouhin Oregon covers 235 acres in the Dundee Hills overlooking the Willamette Valley.

— Mike DeSimone, Robb Report, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of overlooking

Verb

The probability of a hurricane passing over any particular point is low, especially farther from the Mexican coast, since most Pacific hurricanes tend to stay closer to Mexico.

— Nicholas Grondin, The Conversation, 9 Sep. 2026
Related Articles The board previously resolved to erect new buildings for the Latino Museum and the American Women’s History Museum, passing over Arts and Industries.

— Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of passing over

Verb

There, trenches, benches, niches and other architectural devices are carved into the floor and walls—adding to the drama of the paintings covering the walls.

— Jacqueline Ortoleva, Scientific American, 3 Oct. 2026
In September, commission staff audited and accepted an engineering report covering a modular construction technique tested at Purdue University.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of covering

Browse Nearby Words

papered over

papering over

paper money

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“Papering over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/papering%20over. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of papering over

verb

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