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
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2026
The smoothing fabric is flattering at the waist and thighs, and the flare bottoms provide just enough of a pop of style to make these jeans fun, but still appropriate for just about any setting.
—Taylor Fox, Travel + Leisure, 2 May 2026
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
Verb
Duffy has said the system could help planners spot problems weeks in advance, smoothing schedules before delays begin to stack up.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2026
The smoothing fabric is flattering at the waist and thighs, and the flare bottoms provide just enough of a pop of style to make these jeans fun, but still appropriate for just about any setting.
—Taylor Fox, Travel + Leisure, 2 May 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smoothing
Verb
-
While many were happy this conversation was being had, many took issue with the fact that Paltrow was the one facilitating the conversation.—
Lori A Bashian,
FOXNews.com,
6 May 2026
-
The group was founded in 2002 and has carved out a niche facilitating team sales, LP transactions, debt financing and other adjacent M&A activity.—
Eben Novy-Williams,
Variety,
5 May 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
-
While rivals like the Tacoma and Colorado constantly reinvent themselves, Nissan tends to take the long road by refining, tweaking, and polishing instead of blowing everything up every few years.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
3 May 2026
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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
Verb
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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
-
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
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After making a slew of undrafted free-agent signings, the Broncos are trimming their offseason roster as rookie minicamp kicks off this weekend.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
8 May 2026
-
Brian Kemp signs 34 bills, trimming his backlog with days left to act on this year’s legislation.—
Adam Beam,
AJC.com,
6 May 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
-
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
-
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 10 May. 2026.
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