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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in shaving
to make free from breaks, curves, or bumps
the workers smoothed the surface of the concrete before letting it dry
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in facilitating
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of smoothing
Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 6 Oct. 2025
This silky, fragrance-free formula delivers all the benefits of retinol—like smoothing fine lines, refining texture, and evening skin tone—without a heavy or irritating feel.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 1 Oct. 2025
The ultra-wide, crossover waistband accentuates the waist while the stretchy, supportive fabric provides a smoothing effect on the midsection.
—Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 28 Sep. 2025
The bra is made of a silky fabric that’s lightweight and smoothing for a fit that hugs you and stays hidden under clothes.
—Melody Kazel, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2025
Retinal is a more potent version of vitamin A and is more effective with smoothing fine lines and hyperpigmentation.
—Gina Vaynshteyn, StyleCaster, 24 Sep. 2025
With a skin-loving trifecta of hyaluronic acid, madecassoside (more commonly known as centella asiatica), and vitamin B5 (which binds to and holds water to moisturize the skin), the formula goes beyond basic moisturization, effectively smoothing, soothing, and repairing dry, tight skin.
—Danielle Cohen, Glamour, 18 Sep. 2025
Offset spatula This decorating tool is a skinny, rectangular spatula used to assist in smoothing icing, which will give your cake a polished finish.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 11 Sep. 2025
Gallant, sleeveless and heavily tattooed, began slowly smoothing a white sheet atop his model’s shoulders.
—Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
The 312 jeans have a mid-rise waist with a tummy-slimming panel for a smoothing effect.
—Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 6 Oct. 2025
This silky, fragrance-free formula delivers all the benefits of retinol—like smoothing fine lines, refining texture, and evening skin tone—without a heavy or irritating feel.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 1 Oct. 2025
The ultra-wide, crossover waistband accentuates the waist while the stretchy, supportive fabric provides a smoothing effect on the midsection.
—Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 28 Sep. 2025
The bra is made of a silky fabric that’s lightweight and smoothing for a fit that hugs you and stays hidden under clothes.
—Melody Kazel, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2025
Retinal is a more potent version of vitamin A and is more effective with smoothing fine lines and hyperpigmentation.
—Gina Vaynshteyn, StyleCaster, 24 Sep. 2025
With a skin-loving trifecta of hyaluronic acid, madecassoside (more commonly known as centella asiatica), and vitamin B5 (which binds to and holds water to moisturize the skin), the formula goes beyond basic moisturization, effectively smoothing, soothing, and repairing dry, tight skin.
—Danielle Cohen, Glamour, 18 Sep. 2025
Offset spatula This decorating tool is a skinny, rectangular spatula used to assist in smoothing icing, which will give your cake a polished finish.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 11 Sep. 2025
Gallant, sleeveless and heavily tattooed, began slowly smoothing a white sheet atop his model’s shoulders.
—Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smoothing
Verb
-
United’s seasonal nonstop flight from Newark to Palma runs from spring until late fall, facilitating a smoother journey from the East Coast.—
Allison Tibaldi,
USA Today,
9 Oct. 2025
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It’s designed to foster closer ties between British and Indian producers, facilitating the exchange of best practices, projects and ideas across both territories.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Analysts estimate the shutdown is shaving billions off the gross domestic product each week and has left around 803,000 federal workers furloughed or working without pay—many of them lower-wage employees.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
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No other manager has reached that figure in a quicker time, with the Spaniard shaving 55 matches off Sir Alex Ferguson’s previous 404-game record pace.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Venus ends its Virgo run in your communication house, polishing your words with discernment.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
5 Oct. 2025
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Over the course of the next 36 years, McNally returned to the script again and again, rewriting, restaging, refining and polishing it into something that eventually became one of Broadway’s biggest hits of 2014 and ’15.—
Rob Hubbard,
Twin Cities,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Engage your lower abdominal muscles by tucking your pelvis and flattening the curve in your lower back by lowering it to the floor or drawing your belly button to the floor.—
Mark Gurarie,
Verywell Health,
7 Oct. 2025
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The bowl diffuser features aluminum plates that heat up to expedite dry time, and the comb attachment helps detangle without flattening out ringlets.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Dawn suggests using dish soap as a pre-wash spot treatment by rubbing a little bit into the affected area of the fabric before laundering as usual.—
Lauren Wicks,
Southern Living,
7 Oct. 2025
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This can be done by rubbing them together or against one's teeth.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Those savings could come from trimming what the government pays insurers to lower patients’ out-of-pocket costs or by reducing Medicare payments to doctors.—
Christopher Robertson,
The Conversation,
7 Oct. 2025
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Best Christmas Tree Decoration Deals Bring some Christmas spirit to every branch by trimming your tree with these decorations.—
Toni Sutton,
PEOPLE,
7 Oct. 2025
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
Verb
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However, as the pack barrelled into Turn 10, Russell slammed into the barriers after clipping the inside wall approaching the corner.—
Madeline Coleman,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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Tie branches with twine and add evergreen tassels, then insert photos in the branches, clipping them on, if needed, to hold in place.—
Emily Williams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smoothing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smoothing. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.
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