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

Relevance

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

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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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for papering over

Verb

Things that used to feel so urgent and non-negotiable (being disciplined, heeding early alarms, ignoring my body’s cues) now have a patina over them.

— Dimity McDowell, Time, 24 Feb. 2026
This skeptical energy plays under the surface of the novel (Hjorth’s funniest) as Johanna begins to surveil her mother, ignoring her sister’s perfectly reasonable requests to leave her in peace.

— Elaine Blair, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026