as in facilitating
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Dissimilar Words
1
as in accelerating
to free from obstruction or difficulty
a willingness to compromise will smooth the way to an early agreement
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in flattening
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
3
as in polishing
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of smoothing
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2026
The smoothing fabric is flattering at the waist and thighs, and the flare bottoms provide just enough of a pop of style to make these jeans fun, but still appropriate for just about any setting.
—Taylor Fox, Travel + Leisure, 2 May 2026
Stansbury smiled, smoothing the fabric over my back.
—Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2026
The product design for the pull-on skinny and flare denim sought to tackle frequent fit issues women have with jeans—such as waist gaps and hip dips—with waist-smoothing paneling and padding and contour seaming to lift and round wearers’ hips.
—Sarah Jones, Footwear News, 29 Apr. 2026
Its benefits span from firming and lift to smoothing texture and tone.
—Audrey Noble, Vogue, 28 Apr. 2026
Spring wardrobe upgrades include a comfortable waffle knit two-piece set for over half off, Levi’s jeans that are $46 off, and a wireless smoothing bra that’s just $21.
—Madeline Merinuk, PEOPLE, 25 Apr. 2026
Unlike many mineral sunscreens that can sit heavily on the skin, this one absorbs quickly and has a lightweight, smoothing effect.
—Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 24 Apr. 2026
But smoothing the appearance of fine lines around your eyes does not require a 12-step regimen or an appointment at the dermatologist’s office.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
Duffy has said the system could help planners spot problems weeks in advance, smoothing schedules before delays begin to stack up.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2026
The smoothing fabric is flattering at the waist and thighs, and the flare bottoms provide just enough of a pop of style to make these jeans fun, but still appropriate for just about any setting.
—Taylor Fox, Travel + Leisure, 2 May 2026
Stansbury smiled, smoothing the fabric over my back.
—Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2026
The product design for the pull-on skinny and flare denim sought to tackle frequent fit issues women have with jeans—such as waist gaps and hip dips—with waist-smoothing paneling and padding and contour seaming to lift and round wearers’ hips.
—Sarah Jones, Footwear News, 29 Apr. 2026
Its benefits span from firming and lift to smoothing texture and tone.
—Audrey Noble, Vogue, 28 Apr. 2026
Spring wardrobe upgrades include a comfortable waffle knit two-piece set for over half off, Levi’s jeans that are $46 off, and a wireless smoothing bra that’s just $21.
—Madeline Merinuk, PEOPLE, 25 Apr. 2026
Unlike many mineral sunscreens that can sit heavily on the skin, this one absorbs quickly and has a lightweight, smoothing effect.
—Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 24 Apr. 2026
But smoothing the appearance of fine lines around your eyes does not require a 12-step regimen or an appointment at the dermatologist’s office.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 23 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smoothing
Verb
-
The report places some of the blame on social media platforms and e-commerce websites for facilitating counterfeit sales through influencer promotion and links to fake websites.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
14 May 2026
-
Malaysia’s maritime agency says the transfers happen beyond its territorial waters and radar coverage, complicating enforcement efforts, while critics argue the nation is facilitating rather than merely tolerating the trade.—
Eileen Ng,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
In cultural sectors, especially, over-optimization risks flattening meaning.—
Rolling Stone Culture Council,
Rolling Stone,
11 May 2026
-
Early diagnoses make a significant difference in flattening the curve of Parkinson’s debilitating symptoms, as DTaC cofounder Derek Torry explained to us onsite.—
Michael Van Runkle,
Robb Report,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
While rivals like the Tacoma and Colorado constantly reinvent themselves, Nissan tends to take the long road by refining, tweaking, and polishing instead of blowing everything up every few years.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
3 May 2026
-
Various owners have taken the reins over the years, but all were committed to preserving the bar’s old-school character rather than polishing, upgrading, or updating it away.—
Skye Sherman,
Southern Living,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This awesome little robovac-mop is literally shaving a full workday a week off her already insane I'm-a-mom schedule.—
Joe Salas
May 09,
New Atlas,
9 May 2026
-
Sobbing while shaving head in…what’s that movie?—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
Pettis took out a paper towel and began rubbing the paints together on the easel.—
Mary Divine,
Twin Cities,
9 May 2026
-
Also, avoid rubbing the scent onto your skin, as this degrades the fragrance.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
After making a slew of undrafted free-agent signings, the Broncos are trimming their offseason roster as rookie minicamp kicks off this weekend.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
8 May 2026
-
Brian Kemp signs 34 bills, trimming his backlog with days left to act on this year’s legislation.—
Adam Beam,
AJC.com,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Tourists and scientists want to know On Thursday, three tractors spent more than an hour raking the beach at South Pointe Park in Miami Beach as beachgoers weaved around them, stepping over thick piles of sargassum that turned the shoreline water a murky brown.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
9 May 2026
-
Prepare the planting bed by removing weeds and raking the soil even.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
The under-$10 serum is formulated with 2 percent multimolecular hyaluronic acid and Matrixyl 3000 peptide, a combination of ingredients that quenches the skin while smoothening wrinkles and firming crepey areas.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smoothing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smoothing. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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