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
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of smoothing
Kaitlin Clapinski, InStyle, 6 Mar. 2026
Anything above 220 is considered fine and works well for smoothing edges and buffing the nail surface to a polished finish.
—Lily Wohlner, Allure, 5 Mar. 2026
Another said the product is effective at smoothing lines without aggravating sensitive skin.
—Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 3 Mar. 2026
Holder photographed the original backdrops from 40 feet above on a sound stage, then digitally restored each image, smoothing creases and cracks in the fabric.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 27 Feb. 2026
Across categories, the fabrics are impressively soft, with thoughtful touches like smoothing seams, wide bands, and wireless construction.
—Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 27 Feb. 2026
Her long-term commitment to Ukrainian poetry shows in the precision and restraint of the English versions, which preserve Malihon’s tonal shifts without smoothing their rawness.
—Alex Averbuch, Literary Hub, 24 Feb. 2026
As the sensitive Pisces Moon meets romantic Venus, we may be drawn to kindness, simple pleasures, and smoothing rough edges.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 18 Feb. 2026
The horizontal bands at the waist are smoothing and curve-enhancing, and can be accentuated with a belt to switch things up.
—Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 15 Feb. 2026
Verb
Among the products her hairstylist used to craft the style, the Nexxus Keraphix Liquid Crystallizer Hair Serum stood out as a great protective, smoothing serum that would fit in anyone’s haircare routine.
—Kaitlin Clapinski, InStyle, 6 Mar. 2026
Anything above 220 is considered fine and works well for smoothing edges and buffing the nail surface to a polished finish.
—Lily Wohlner, Allure, 5 Mar. 2026
Another said the product is effective at smoothing lines without aggravating sensitive skin.
—Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 3 Mar. 2026
Holder photographed the original backdrops from 40 feet above on a sound stage, then digitally restored each image, smoothing creases and cracks in the fabric.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 27 Feb. 2026
Across categories, the fabrics are impressively soft, with thoughtful touches like smoothing seams, wide bands, and wireless construction.
—Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 27 Feb. 2026
Her long-term commitment to Ukrainian poetry shows in the precision and restraint of the English versions, which preserve Malihon’s tonal shifts without smoothing their rawness.
—Alex Averbuch, Literary Hub, 24 Feb. 2026
As the sensitive Pisces Moon meets romantic Venus, we may be drawn to kindness, simple pleasures, and smoothing rough edges.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 18 Feb. 2026
The horizontal bands at the waist are smoothing and curve-enhancing, and can be accentuated with a belt to switch things up.
—Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 15 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smoothing
Verb
-
The United States had already sanctioned him years earlier under the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act, accusing him of facilitating narcotics shipments through Venezuela.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Al-Ansari stressed that Qatar has consistently sought to avoid regional conflicts while facilitating dialogue between Iran and the international community.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Embrace Series Insoles are crafted to mimic the cloud-like feel of memory foam without flattening over time, working to maintain continuous adaptability while rebounding with each step.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
2 Mar. 2026
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According to fabric care expert Alicia Sokolowski, ironing is ideal for creating crisp creases, flattening heavy wrinkles, and shaping structured garments like dress shirts, cotton, linen, or denim.—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Remove all oil residue from the nail beds before polishing.—
Ariana Yaptangco,
Glamour,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Harsh Chemicals and Abrasive Cleaners Avoid using harsh chemicals and abrasive cleaners when cleaning and polishing wood flooring.—
Maria Sabella,
The Spruce,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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After years of trying out different hairstyles, Suggs finally went all in on shaving it all off.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 Mar. 2026
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Soon, Melling’s Colin is obeying his lover’s every order, including by shaving himself bald and sleeping like a dog on the floor.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Dollander experienced a rookie season that ranked somewhere between eating thumbtacks and rubbing a cheese grater on shins.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
3 Mar. 2026
-
This research doesn’t offer a fix, though the internet has plenty of advice that may be risky, including rubbing soap or a dryer sheet on the soles.—
Adithi Ramakrishnan,
Fortune,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Ryan can't score after trimming more clock.—
American-Statesman staff,
Austin American Statesman,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Despite being outshot through the first two periods, the Cougars hung tough before trimming the Moorhead lead to just one early in the third.—
Frank Rajkowski,
Twin Cities,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Matt McLain added muscle, is now raking On the one hand, McLain adding a dozen pounds of muscle in the offseason seems like an unambiguously positive development.—
Andy Behrens,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Allow the surface to dry then prepare the seed bed by raking the soil smooth.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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 10 Mar. 2026.
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