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
Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 5 Feb. 2026
The initial collection will consist of a seamless or smoothing nylon bra, a seamless or shaping nylon brief, and a seamless or shaping nylon short.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 3 Feb. 2026
Solar energy generation paired with four-hour storage can economically and reliably supply about 15% of system energy by smoothing daily ups and downs.
—Alex Pavlak, Baltimore Sun, 1 Feb. 2026
Hyaluronic acid, peptides, and botanical extracts provide pore-minimizing, firming, and line-smoothing properties.
—Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 31 Jan. 2026
This is a great day to take note of potential friction points and start smoothing them over.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 30 Jan. 2026
Scrub with a Pumice Stone Pumice stones, sometimes called scouring sticks, aren’t just for smoothing rough heels.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Jan. 2026
Myriad attachments — including curling barrels, smoothing brushes, and a straightener — grant you endless style possibilities.
—Jacqueline Kilikita, Refinery29, 22 Jan. 2026
Plus, the high-waist has a smoothing effect that’s ideal for tucking in blouses, sweaters, and T-shirts.
—Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026
Verb
The Age Perfect Eye Cream by L’Oréal Paris has shoppers raving about its hydrating, brightening, and smoothing ingredients that target multiple signs of aging all in one formula.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 5 Feb. 2026
The initial collection will consist of a seamless or smoothing nylon bra, a seamless or shaping nylon brief, and a seamless or shaping nylon short.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 3 Feb. 2026
Solar energy generation paired with four-hour storage can economically and reliably supply about 15% of system energy by smoothing daily ups and downs.
—Alex Pavlak, Baltimore Sun, 1 Feb. 2026
Hyaluronic acid, peptides, and botanical extracts provide pore-minimizing, firming, and line-smoothing properties.
—Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 31 Jan. 2026
This is a great day to take note of potential friction points and start smoothing them over.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 30 Jan. 2026
Scrub with a Pumice Stone Pumice stones, sometimes called scouring sticks, aren’t just for smoothing rough heels.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Jan. 2026
Myriad attachments — including curling barrels, smoothing brushes, and a straightener — grant you endless style possibilities.
—Jacqueline Kilikita, Refinery29, 22 Jan. 2026
Plus, the high-waist has a smoothing effect that’s ideal for tucking in blouses, sweaters, and T-shirts.
—Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smoothing
Verb
-
Three days later, Attorney General Ken Paxton demanded Austin ISD provide information on attendance, absences, security policies and communications between district staff about the walkouts, accusing the district of facilitating the walkouts.—
Keri Heath,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Feb. 2026
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If there is evidence of a school system facilitating a walkout, the district will be subject to investigation, which could lead to the district being taken over and a new board of managers being named to replace the existing school board, state officials said.—
Samuel O’Neal
February 4,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Meanwhile, far from trending toward retail domination, US e-commerce growth is flattening.—
Greg Petro,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Many tech companies have spent recent years flattening their structure by cutting middle management at a record rate.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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This gentle, sensitive-skin-friendly exfoliating sugar scrub helps to melt away makeup, excess oil, and buildup, all while buffing and polishing without stripping the skin.—
Melony Forcier,
InStyle,
30 Jan. 2026
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One air bubble can destroy a $10,000 piece at the polishing stage.—
Lilian Raji,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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There wasn’t even a full question asked about the secret project using computer technology aimed at shaving fractions of a second off speedskating times to help the Americans bring home gold medals from the Milan Cortina Olympics.—
Howard Fendrich,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2026
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Some of the same men involved in the NBA case were also indicted earlier this month in what federal prosecutors in Pennsylvania say was a college basketball point-shaving ring.—
Mike Vorkunov,
New York Times,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Finally, disinfect the tools by wiping the blades with a cloth dampened with isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
10 Feb. 2026
-
When the hook comes back around, he’s still posted in that corner, this time rubbing his hands together like a Birdman reaction gif.—
Dash Lewis,
Pitchfork,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The administration has framed trimming the agency’s headcount as a move towards modernity and higher efficiency.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
6 Feb. 2026
-
In the 2025 session, lawmakers made billions of dollars in cuts, trimming the state budget from $72 billion to roughly $67 billion.—
Mary Murphy,
Twin Cities,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The idea is to have Arraez raking throughout and worry about untenable defense when you’re forced to.—
Grant Brisbee,
New York Times,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Aviles recommends loosening the soil by hand or raking it with a garden claw to aerate it.—
Lee Wallender,
The Spruce,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Magellano’s Dual Mode Hull, a signature feature that has been on the vessels since the series started, is a semi-planing hull with a vertical bow.—
Tristan Rutherford,
Robb Report,
8 Sep. 2025
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Besides the Cool Springs location, the brand is also planing to open stores at Opry Mills and West Town Mall in Knoxville this fall.—
Gabrielle Chenault,
The Tennessean,
29 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smoothing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smoothing. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
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