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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 Unlike a traditional body lotion, the moisturizer’s lightweight, milky texture softens skin, smooths rough patches, and relieves dryness sans the greasy film. — Madison San Miguel, Allure, 30 Oct. 2026 Essentially, the toothpaste gently smooths the area around the scratch, dulling its appearance—much like a gentle polish. — Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 30 Oct. 2026 Along with lasting hydration, the formula smooths and plumps the skin, quickly making fine lines and wrinkles less noticeable. — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2026 Massaging it into the scalp promotes growth (stimulating blood flow to the area is how the magic happens), while applying it through the lengths reduces breakage and smoothes each strand for a silky, frizz-free finish. — Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 23 Oct. 2026 All of this pillow talk smooths Kate’s path to selling Hal on her idea of extracting the bodies from the Russian sub. — Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2026 The setup smooths the music’s flux without sacrificing the flavor of all the places and styles the album spans. — Stephen Kearse, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026 Researchers solved this issue by creating a dual processing technique that smooths the material surface and manages how the crystals form. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 28 Sep. 2026 Yearly stats just smoothes everything out to a more meaningless middle. — Michael Salfino, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for smooths

Verb

Under normal circumstances, a broad international investor base facilitates government financing.

— , CNBC, 20 Oct. 2026
The company facilitates over 100,000 flights across more than 20,000 airports worldwide, offering some of the industry’s very latest and most advanced business jets.

— Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of facilitates

Verb

Here, cotton proteins rebuild strength from the inside out and make hair less porous, while hazelnut oil and shea butter add back the lipids that damage strips away, all without the heaviness that flattens finer strands.

— Valeriya Chupinina, Vogue, 4 Nov. 2026
The game also fleshes out unspoken implications and flattens rough edges.

— James Perkins Mastromarino, NPR, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of flattens

Verb

My colleague counters that to do so rubs salt in the wound, and that the loser is the one to first contact the winner with congratulations.

— Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026
By the end of the nineteenth century, health tourists could easily travel to Davos, in the east of Switzerland, where the mountain vistas were more dramatic and newer treatments, such as chest rubs with marmot fat, awaited.

— D. T. Max, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of rubs

Verb

While a classic button-down shirt is always timeless, a peplum top offers the same wearability with a waist-defining silhouette that instantly polishes any bottom they’re paired with.

— Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 2026
The PowerPaste polishes and protects more delicate surfaces, while the Tangerine Clean is more abrasive for serious scrubbing.

— Brittany VanDerBill, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 July 2026

Definition of polishes

Verb

Plus, helpful cleaning gadgets like these pet hair remover carpet rakes and this handy robot vacuum are also steeply discounted right now.

— Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 15 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of rakes

Verb

This face serum brightens and evens skin tone, fights free radicals, supports collagen production and softens the look of fine lines and wrinkles for glowing, healthy-looking skin.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026
Alshon somehow evens things up against the dominant Lenard for 18-18, handing things to the #1 singles player Haworth.

— Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026