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
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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
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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
-
Her caretaker had allegedly been concealing and profiting from her death.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
9 May 2026
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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
-
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
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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
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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 16 May. 2026.
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