SMOOTHES Synonyms: 96 Similar and Opposite Words

smooths

verb

variants also smoothes

present tense third-person singular of smooth

as in facilitates

to free from obstruction or difficulty a willingness to compromise will smooth the way to an early agreement

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in flattens

to make free from breaks, curves, or bumps the workers smoothed the surface of the concrete before letting it dry

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in rubs

to make smooth or glossy usually by repeatedly applying surface pressure used fine sandpaper to smooth the face of the wood

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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 smooths The hybrid system smooths some of the drivetrain’s low-speed behavior, but the single-clutch transmission still delivers a hearty shunt on full-throttle upshifts as the V8 screams toward 11,000 rpm. — Bradley Iger, ArsTechnica, 6 July 2026 The formula smooths wrinkles, reduces laugh lines, softens dry patches, and perks up the eye area to deliver plumper, firmer skin. — Grace Scollo, InStyle, 4 July 2026 CeraVe’s Skin Renewing Retinol Serum smoothes and hydrates with a retinol formula that’s gentle on sensitive skin. — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 26 June 2026 Infused with squalane and vitamin E, the lightweight formula keeps mature skin from looking dry or cakey while creating a soft-focus finish that smooths and delivers a natural-looking, healthy glow. — Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 25 June 2026 Salicylic acid works deep within pores to tackle buildup, while lactic acid smooths rough texture and refines skin’s surface, leaving skin looking clearer and feeling smoother in just a few swipes. — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 24 June 2026 The crisp white pants are made with the brand’s lift-tuck technology, which smooths the front and shapes the curves in the back for a flattering fit. — Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 24 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for smooths

Verb

The Nike AirRift launched in spring 1996 as the athletic giant’s first tabi shoe and the start of its efforts to make footwear which facilitates natural motion.

— Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 10 July 2026
The war prompted the Iranian closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a shipping route that facilitates about one-fifth of worldwide oil supply.

— Max Zahn, ABC News, 8 July 2026

Definition of facilitates

Verb

Franklyn-Miller is certainly pretty, serving as a fine face for this story, but the screenplay (by Erwin, Diederik Hoogstraten and Tom Provost) flattens his character into a basic cookie-cutter hero.

— Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
The metric flattens that difference into a number that appears precise and is actually only a starting point.

— Tony Julianelle, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026

Definition of flattens

Verb

The nurse rubs circles on her lower back, clucking at the struggle of turning the pregnant body to the side like a lopsided gourd.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 25 June 2026
Every texture is an independent agent with its own membrane in the mix; percussion rubs and scrapes against your attention, while mutating synth patches burble in the periphery.

— H.D. Angel, Pitchfork, 16 June 2026

Definition of rubs

Verb

Its ceramic blades easily tackle coarse hair and its waterproof design makes in-shower shaves a breeze.

— Sara Coughlin, Allure, 5 July 2026
Zillow says that a pale pink bathroom could lose you up to $6,013, while a pale pink kitchen shaves an extra $4,201 off potential buyers' offers.

— Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 June 2026

Definition of shaves

Verb

Through processing that polishes the individual wool fibers, the technology allows wool to have more luster, a softer hand feel, drape and elastic recovery.

— Sarah Jones, Footwear News, 22 June 2026
Expect to see even tinier dots and minuscule French tips atop jelly polishes in summery shades like fuchsia and blood orange.

— Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 4 June 2026

Definition of polishes

Verb

Then, as the afternoon sunshine rakes across the river valley, the group will return to the Birdwing—where canvas and paints await, according to a news release.

— News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
Participants are encouraged to bring their own shovel, gloves, and rakes as limited tools will be provided at the event.

— Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025

Definition of rakes

Verb

Spink’s optimism about the growth opportunities in Saudi Arabia comes even as the kingdom trims capital expenditure, cuts some projects, and limits spending on foreign consultants.

— Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 1 July 2026
Coppola's preferred version of the film, Final Cut, removes or trims a handful of sequences, including the exchange between Willard (Martin Sheen) and the Playboy Playmates, and Kurtz (Marlon Brando) reading from TIME magazine.

— Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 16 June 2026

Definition of trims

Verb

While beloved for their loose powders (which Bieber uses), Laura Mercier’s tinted moisturizer is equally as impressive for its lightweight, buildable coverage that evens and blurs skin without contributing to sweat and oil in warm weather.

— Essence Wiley, InStyle, 27 June 2026
Formulated with skin-nourishing ingredients like vitamin C, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin B5, the serum reduces signs of aging and supports collagen production, evens your skin complexion, and defends against free radicals.

— Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 21 June 2026