SMOOTHING Synonyms: 109 Similar and Opposite Words

smoothing 1 of 2

adjective

as in facilitating

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Dissimilar Words

smoothing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of smooth

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

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

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of smoothing

Verb

Brook actually recommends skipping volumizing sprays—which can make dense hair feel bulky—and instead smoothing a lightweight oil like Biolage All-In-One Multi-Benefit Oil through the lengths for shine and frizz control. — Marci Robin, Allure, 6 Aug. 2026 Whether or not motion smoothing metadata is needed is up to the content creators to decide (and for forum threads to debate). — John Higgins, The Verge, 6 Aug. 2026 Transfer the batter to the prepared cake pan, smoothing it out to an even layer. — Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Aug. 2026 The benefits come from smoothing and conditioning agents like phenyl trimethicone, a silicone that provides heat protection, and glycerin, a humectant that combats dryness. — Essence Wiley, InStyle, 3 Aug. 2026 Do not keep smoothing things over while your body keeps the receipts. — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 2 Aug. 2026 The one-piece swimsuit is thoughtfully designed with adjustable straps, ruching throughout the midsection that creates a smoothing effect, and full-coverage bottoms, which feel like a rarity in swimwear these days. — Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026 As a result, cacay is a multitasking wonder, helping with everything from deep hydration to smoothing skin texture, revitalizing hair to smoothing frizz and adding shine. — Celia Shatzman, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026 Energy storage systems such as batteries play a pivotal role in smoothing renewable intermittency by absorbing excess solar and wind generation and dispatching it when production dips. — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 25 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for smoothing

Verb

In the finale, Rhaenyra shed nearly every ounce of goodwill fostered during the season by facilitating the murder of the High Septon and very publicly announced her place as the Prince Who Was Promised.

— Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
In April, France passed a new law facilitating the restitution of items illegally acquired between 1815 and 1972.

— Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of facilitating

Verb

Political debates have a way of flattening complicated issues that on-the-ground reporting rarely does.

— Jamie Stockwell, USA Today, 31 July 2026
But the necessity of paring down such a massive event has the effect of flattening the very elements that ought to give it its texture and heft — namely, the people involved.

— Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 30 July 2026

Definition of flattening

Verb

For many job seekers, writing another version of a resume or polishing a LinkedIn profile isn't the hard part.

— Zulekha Nathoo, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2026
Under this law, employers are required to take steps to protect workers, such as providing protective respirators and using water to suppress dust, when employees are cutting, grinding or polishing slabs.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of polishing

Verb

With competition so fierce in the race to build and release the latest AI models however, the expediency of shaving off every possible drag on speed trumps all.

— Emily Forlini, Fortune, 11 Aug. 2026
Kath is competitive only about things that matter, like logging steps or shaving her legs, and the game had no bearing on her reality.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of shaving

Verb

Haskell's team is also staying high in quality and coupons, trimming lower-coupon exposures in favor of those that are upward of 5% that the firm thinks are better poised to handle periods of market uncertainty.

— Darla Mercado, CFP®, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2026
Cut the fennel bulbs into quarters, trimming just a bit of the core (leave enough to hold the layers together), then slice thin.

— ABC News, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of trimming

Verb

Mopping the floor, raking leaves and shoveling snow all require dynamic stability that supports rotational movement.

— Dana Santas, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
In the instance above, his raking pass created a goal from what was originally a one-on-four situation in Argentina’s favour.

— Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 18 July 2026