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
Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 11 Feb. 2026
Appealing Venus is parading into your 6th House of Habits, bringing sweetness to routines and smoothing dynamics, which suits a diplomatic style of handling events.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 10 Feb. 2026
While Botox — a purified neurotoxin — is widely used for smoothing fine lines and wrinkles by relaxing the muscles underneath the skin, more experts are recommending it as a solution for jaw pain, clenching, teeth grinding, tension, and clicking.
—Jacqueline Kilikita, Refinery29, 10 Feb. 2026
The texture-smoothing formula also includes cupuaçu butter—another moisture-locking workhorse—as well as caffeine, which helps boost collagen production, reduces puffiness, and protects skin from environmental damage.
—Alyssa Morin, InStyle, 8 Feb. 2026
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
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
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
In the clubhouse, smoothing the path for Shohei Ohtani.
—Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 28 Dec. 2024
Verb
The three compressions are Spanxsmooth Swim, which is light compression for barely there smoothing; Spanxshape Swim, medium compression for a little more tummy control and shaping, and Spanxsculpt Swim, strong compression that cinches and snatches.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 11 Feb. 2026
Appealing Venus is parading into your 6th House of Habits, bringing sweetness to routines and smoothing dynamics, which suits a diplomatic style of handling events.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 10 Feb. 2026
While Botox — a purified neurotoxin — is widely used for smoothing fine lines and wrinkles by relaxing the muscles underneath the skin, more experts are recommending it as a solution for jaw pain, clenching, teeth grinding, tension, and clicking.
—Jacqueline Kilikita, Refinery29, 10 Feb. 2026
The texture-smoothing formula also includes cupuaçu butter—another moisture-locking workhorse—as well as caffeine, which helps boost collagen production, reduces puffiness, and protects skin from environmental damage.
—Alyssa Morin, InStyle, 8 Feb. 2026
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
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
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
In the clubhouse, smoothing the path for Shohei Ohtani.
—Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 28 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smoothing
Verb
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Here, the brand positioned itself not as a narrator but as a host — facilitating collective experience rather than staging spectacle.—
Yiling Pan,
Vogue,
17 Feb. 2026
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In addition to facilitating purchases, Priority Gold provides consultations to help customers understand precious metals pricing, IRA rollover requirements and storage options before completing a transaction.—
Sharon Wu,
USA Today,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But the film’s indifference to questions of authenticity ends flattening one of the story’s most uncomfortable and essential truths.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Feb. 2026
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Compression packing cubes, in particular, are critical for saving space and flattening clothes as much as possible.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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After polishing the piece, rinse it well and wash it with dish soap and water again to ensure all the cream is removed.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
9 Feb. 2026
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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
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
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The nun moved from one child to the next, tucking them back under the covers, rubbing backs,and whispering sweet words of affection.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
15 Feb. 2026
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One of his chief critics was Pele, and Scolari took great delight in rubbing Brazil’s triumph in his face.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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And that unease is worth keeping in mind for business leaders considering trimming the payroll.—
Claire Zillman,
Fortune,
10 Feb. 2026
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Shut the water while trimming the unwanted hair.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Just ask DePaul-area resident Janice Hughes, who claims she was rear-ended by a Coco robot while raking the parkway in front of her home.—
Robert Channick,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2026
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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
Verb
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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 20 Feb. 2026.
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