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
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
This toner also pairs smoothing with serious barrier support.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 22 Apr. 2026
Other Dems are smoothing the way for green infrastructure development.
—Evan Thies, New York Daily News, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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
This toner also pairs smoothing with serious barrier support.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 22 Apr. 2026
Other Dems are smoothing the way for green infrastructure development.
—Evan Thies, New York Daily News, 20 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smoothing
Verb
-
Kirah is an astrologer, educator, and creative consultant who is passionate about facilitating accessible astrological education and programming.—
Steph Koyfman,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Apr. 2026
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An arrest warrant was issued for Vicky on charges of third-degree permitting or facilitating an escape.—
Jessica Sager,
PEOPLE,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Researchers and academics should be raising the level of the policy debate, not flattening it.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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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
-
Either way, regularly polishing your countertops will help keep your kitchen looking well-maintained and refreshed.—
Farima Ferguson,
The Spruce,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Back in the day, scandals typically were point-shaving schemes that involved shadowy figures bribing athletes.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 May 2026
-
Fairley also intends to plead guilty in a separate NCAA point-shaving case in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania over allegedly recruiting players who would accept bribes to influence games, the documents showed.—
Chloe Atkins,
NBC news,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Harvest quinoa by hitting the flower stalks against a hard surface or rubbing them between your hands to separate the seeds from the flower parts or chaff.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
27 Apr. 2026
-
An employee washed hands for less than 10 seconds at the sushi bar, and the inspector wants to see 10-15 seconds of your hands rubbing each other.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Tried to listen online while the neighbor made enough noise cutting and trimming his yard during the entire game.—
Ticked Off,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Steve Anderson was trimming a tree near a power line with his 17-year-old son on Saturday, April 18, when the accident occurred, according to Fox affiliate KOKI.—
Abigail Adams,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Even light raking can make a difference; if the seed is scattered on the surface with nothing hold it down, it will be carried away by the water.—
Lee Wallender,
The Spruce,
30 Apr. 2026
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Domínguez, meanwhile, has been raking at Triple-A since missing the cut for the Yankees’ Opening Day roster.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
27 Apr. 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 7 May. 2026.
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