1
as in ignores
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 conceals
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 papers over
In this case, the vote also papers over Democrats’ internal divisions, given that the caucus is divided between hawkish Democrats sympathetic to attacking Iran and those who reject the attack outright.
—
Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 4 Mar. 2026
Adams, the Republican nominee in 2022 and 2024, was endorsed in the special election by the Independent Party and claims the secretary of the state’s office wrongly refused to accept his Independent Party nomination papers over a technicality — a missing signature.
—Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 14 Jan. 2026
The acids in the cardboard can discolor photos and papers over time.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 11 Jan. 2026
Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 4 Mar. 2026
Adams, the Republican nominee in 2022 and 2024, was endorsed in the special election by the Independent Party and claims the secretary of the state’s office wrongly refused to accept his Independent Party nomination papers over a technicality — a missing signature.
—Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 14 Jan. 2026
The acids in the cardboard can discolor photos and papers over time.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 11 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for papers over
Verb
-
On the other hand, many would question an admissions system based solely on academic test scores that ignores forms of achievement and potential those tests fail to capture.—
Prasad Krishnamurthy,
Mercury News,
4 June 2026
-
All of this is to address a nonexistent competitive balance gap that ignores actual reality and historical data.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
This sleepy surface conceals the racial and religious tensions between locals and the transient workers who cross the border for employment.—
Sophie Monks Kaufman,
IndieWire,
22 May 2026
-
In Vidal’s telling, the trashy sensationalism of Hearst’s proto-clickbait conceals a tremendous political power.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 May 2026
Verb
-
But Hannah, who sees his true good nature, forgives him.—
Kenneal Patterson,
Vanity Fair,
22 May 2026
-
While The Pitt forgives and empathizes with Robby’s flaws, Robby is not called on to extend that empathy to others.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Gibbard hides from rain, opts for Irish goodbyes, and resorts to giving himself pep talks to drag himself out of bed.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
6 June 2026
-
Even Adam’s irritable female boss, Suzie (Sasheer Zamata), hides under a people-pleasing mask.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Insider tip Suite 203 overlooks Shadow Mountain and offers a view of one of Aspen’s quirkiest pieces of public art—a 10-foot-tall Yeti.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 June 2026
-
Two minutes from Split Rock Park and Devil’s Gulch, Humble Hill Winery overlooks Garretson.—
Taryn Shorr-Mckee,
Midwest Living,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
The narrow prenatal through postpartum window of care approach obscures the broader conditions shaping Black women’s health across their lifespan.—
Jallicia Jolly,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
-
But that average obscures a steady fall from high deficits, as the decade began, to slight surpluses in fiscal years 1998 through 2001.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
The first phase of the program will distribute a maximum of 20,000 single-day passes over the course of the year.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
28 May 2026
-
Frequent passes over the same path lead to soil compaction, which inhibits turf growth due to the roots not being able to freely access water and nutrients.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
The lot of the property covers an area of 12,517 square feet.—
Bay Area Home Report,
Mercury News,
30 May 2026
-
The long hemline covers the lower back for most wearers, sealing out drafts on chilly planes.—
Sian Babish,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Papers over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/papers%20over. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
