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
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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
-
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
-
Talley was found hiding under a porch and arrested for the second time that day.—
Michael Tobin,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
-
One of the United States’ largest fisheries is hiding in plain sight.—
Matthew Robertson,
The Conversation,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Thankfully Pal was forgiving, and didn’t hold a grudge for poor riding.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Polyester is a more low-maintenance, forgiving fabric.—
Shagun Khare,
The Spruce,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Her caretaker had allegedly been concealing and profiting from her death.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
9 May 2026
-
Things began heating up in 2024, when Mamba Negra opened as a rooftop bar concealing a lab where guests move through an eight-part cocktail tasting that's made with 100 percent Colombian ingredients.—
Allie Lazar,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Hough included another video in which she was seen taking a ice bath on a wooden deck overlooking lush tropical greenery.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
-
In the outdoor rooftop setting overlooking the beaches and mountains, local breathwork specialist Gustavo took me on a restorative vinyasa journey.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 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
-
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
-
Heather Long, a chief economist at Navy Federal Credit Union who made her name covering the pandemic recession, believes the sentiment data speaks to something real.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
10 May 2026
-
There’s a reason fans are already covering his statue outside Truist Park — frozen forever in his signature stance, left arm resting on the dugout rail, left leg bent in that familiar crouch — with flowers, handwritten notes and heartfelt tributes.—
Jesús Cano,
New York Times,
10 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Papering over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/papering%20over. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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