as in facilitating
Related Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
27 June 2026
It can be used as a concealer, contour, or foundation, has medium coverage, is pore-blurring, texture-smoothing, and imperfection-camouflaging.
—
Tamim Alnuweiri,
InStyle,
26 June 2026
The formula is one of those shampoos formulated for a really great wash—delivering moisture and smoothing without toying too far into volumizing, densifying, or hair growth.
—
Ellie Davis,
Vogue,
25 June 2026
CosRx’s The 6 Peptide Skin Booster isn’t just about packing in as many peptides as possible—each peptide has a different job, from supporting elasticity and smoothing fine lines to calming skin and boosting radiance.
—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
24 June 2026
As a wellness enthusiast who has seen Paris slowly catch up to cities like London in cutting-edge treatments, I was impressed by the Kobi-Dior offering, a luxurious take on the centuries-old Japanese wrinkle-smoothing facial.
—
Lane Nieset,
Travel + Leisure,
12 June 2026
Verb
Its major selling points include the stretchy and soft material, wide straps, side-smoothing panels, and wireless design.
—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
27 June 2026
It can be used as a concealer, contour, or foundation, has medium coverage, is pore-blurring, texture-smoothing, and imperfection-camouflaging.
—
Tamim Alnuweiri,
InStyle,
26 June 2026
The formula is one of those shampoos formulated for a really great wash—delivering moisture and smoothing without toying too far into volumizing, densifying, or hair growth.
—
Ellie Davis,
Vogue,
25 June 2026
CosRx’s The 6 Peptide Skin Booster isn’t just about packing in as many peptides as possible—each peptide has a different job, from supporting elasticity and smoothing fine lines to calming skin and boosting radiance.
—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
24 June 2026
As a wellness enthusiast who has seen Paris slowly catch up to cities like London in cutting-edge treatments, I was impressed by the Kobi-Dior offering, a luxurious take on the centuries-old Japanese wrinkle-smoothing facial.
—
Lane Nieset,
Travel + Leisure,
12 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smoothing
Verb
-
The Board is committed to ensuring that the revote is conducted fairly, transparently, and in full compliance with all applicable legal requirements, while facilitating a seamless Board transition prior to the start of the 2026–2027 school year in September.
-
The firm helps athletes, teams and leagues grow—and eventually cash in on—their overseas fanbases, with organizing tours and activations, facilitating sponsorships, local social media accounts and region-specific content.
Verb
-
The date was chosen to coincide with the anniversary of the Tunguska impact of 1908, when an asteroid exploded over Siberia, flattening millions of trees in an 830 square mile (2,148 sq km) area.
-
Apps that lean too heavily on automation risk flattening the experience.
Verb
-
Parker Kitternan was busy at the console of the church's pipe organ, polishing his musical tribute for the weekend.
-
The deceptively roomy, buttery-smooth leather style features a convertible crossbody strap, metal feet, interior pockets, and an outfit-polishing silhouette.
Verb
-
Right now, Amazon has it on sale for 13% off, shaving $20 off.
-
Evert allowed cameras to accompany her to treatments and doctor appointments and document her son shaving off her hair after chemotherapy.
Verb
-
The bumper was rubbing the tire and a headlight looked to be dragging.
-
Working with the fingertip has a sensuosity which is erotic and raw; there is something very direct about this process of drawing, rubbing, scratching and erasing.
Verb
-
This factor was vastly dwarfed by organizational restructuring, budget cuts, and economic conditions, which are all far more standard explanations historically used by corporations to justify trimming jobs.
-
Consider trimming a task list, then schedule a quiet break between meetings to recharge.
Verb
-
How To Clean Cotton/Jersey Gardening Gloves Cotton makes a good all-purpose glove for raking leaves and tidying your yard.
-
Then comes raking the clippings, bagging them up, and hauling them to the garbage.
Verb
-
The $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.
Cite this Entry
“Smoothing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smoothing. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
