as in facilitating
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1
as in accelerating
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
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
Rachel Desantis, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026
The Trouser Jeans are no different thanks to the wide pantlegs, smoothing waistband, and overall flattering fit.
—Ruby McAuliffe, InStyle, 4 June 2026
In addition to hydrating hair and combating dryness, this mask is fantastic for smoothing frizz and making hair more manageable.
—Ariel Wodarcyk, Glamour, 29 May 2026
Once set, use the remaining buttercream to frost the top and sides of the cake, smoothing it evenly or creating textured patterns with a spatula.
—CBS News, 24 May 2026
CosRx’s The 6 Peptide Skin Booster isn’t just about packing in as many peptides as possible—each peptide has a different job, from supporting elasticity and smoothing fine lines to calming skin and boosting radiance.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 20 May 2026
Made from 94 percent cotton, they’re designed with smoothing front pockets and an extra-high waist to help create a flattering shape.
—Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 18 May 2026
Pour the filling into the unbaked pie crust, smoothing the top.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 10 May 2026
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
Verb
The formula, which is infused with a vegan keratin smoothing complex and argan oil, promises up to 100 hours of frizz-free hair and up to 38% more light reflection, as well as heat protection up to 450 degrees.
—Rachel Desantis, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026
The Trouser Jeans are no different thanks to the wide pantlegs, smoothing waistband, and overall flattering fit.
—Ruby McAuliffe, InStyle, 4 June 2026
In addition to hydrating hair and combating dryness, this mask is fantastic for smoothing frizz and making hair more manageable.
—Ariel Wodarcyk, Glamour, 29 May 2026
Once set, use the remaining buttercream to frost the top and sides of the cake, smoothing it evenly or creating textured patterns with a spatula.
—CBS News, 24 May 2026
CosRx’s The 6 Peptide Skin Booster isn’t just about packing in as many peptides as possible—each peptide has a different job, from supporting elasticity and smoothing fine lines to calming skin and boosting radiance.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 20 May 2026
Made from 94 percent cotton, they’re designed with smoothing front pockets and an extra-high waist to help create a flattering shape.
—Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 18 May 2026
Pour the filling into the unbaked pie crust, smoothing the top.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 10 May 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smoothing
Verb
-
Intergovernmental organizations have an important role to play in facilitating dialogue, supporting alignment between regulatory approaches and encouraging shared standards that protect both innovation and institutional integrity.—
Ekramy El Zaghat,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
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In a collection of tributes published by Options, a Malaysian lifestyle publication, Papermoon remembered Willie’s skills at facilitating connections among Southeast Asian artists.—
Leigh Anne Miller,
ARTnews.com,
10 June 2026
Verb
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This can include flattening the hill, raking or shoveling the mound, or even using a garden hose to flood the area.—
Cori Sears,
The Spruce,
4 June 2026
-
The Hurricanes went 12-1, flattening opponents by applying the kind of smooth, inevitable pressure that would make a Zamboni driver jealous.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
3 June 2026
Verb
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Another highlight of my visit was experiencing Bastien's Manicure, an in-spa collaboration with nail-care specialists Bastien Gonzalez, which pairs meticulous cuticle work and a thorough massage with a natural nail-polishing technique that eliminates the need for nail polish entirely.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 May 2026
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There’s the difficulty of sintering and polishing the ceramic, and then there’s maintaining the purity of the look.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
27 May 2026
Verb
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In October, the feds announced a sweeping investigation into NBA point-shaving rings tied to the mafia.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
-
Fairley also admitted Thursday to placing wagers and recruiting and bribing college basketball players to underperform in games in a separate NCAA point-shaving case brought by federal prosecutors in Pennsylvania.—
Tom Winter,
NBC news,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Carefully remove any visible tentacles with tweezers or a gloved hand and avoid rubbing the skin.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
3 June 2026
-
Sources told the outlet that the pair had a smiley chat, while White's date was also seen rubbing his leg.—
Christina Perrier,
InStyle,
1 June 2026
Verb
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Maintaining your yard by mowing, removing leaf litter, and trimming vegetation reduces tick habitats.—
Dan Simms,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
-
Here where to find more information on tree trimming policies.—
CBS Miami Team,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
This can include flattening the hill, raking or shoveling the mound, or even using a garden hose to flood the area.—
Cori Sears,
The Spruce,
4 June 2026
-
When seeding bare areas or reseeding, cover the seed with a very thin layer of soil, approximately 1/8 inch thick, by gently raking the area after spreading seeds.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
3 June 2026
Verb
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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 13 Jun. 2026.
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