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
Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Jan. 2026
Myriad attachments — including curling barrels, smoothing brushes, and a straightener — grant you endless style possibilities.
—Jacqueline Kilikita, Refinery29, 22 Jan. 2026
Made with a spandex blend and thick waistband, this trouser-like style offers a subtle shaping and smoothing effect.
—Alyssa Morin, InStyle, 18 Jan. 2026
Plus, the high-waist has a smoothing effect that’s ideal for tucking in blouses, sweaters, and T-shirts.
—Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026
By removing microscopic defects and smoothing the surface, this coating ensures efficient energy flow while preventing the cell from disintegrating under intense heat.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 12 Jan. 2026
Phased retirement can also help companies to manage the consequences of the looming workforce contraction by forestalling brain drain and smoothing succession planning — all while preserving the institutional knowledge and relationships that help companies thrive.
—Mary Moreland, Fortune, 31 Dec. 2025
Pour batter into prepared baking pan, spreading to edges and smoothing top.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 30 Dec. 2025
The blush formula is breathable, smoothing the look of pores while keeping the finish soft.
—Jailynn Taylor, Allure, 26 Dec. 2025
Verb
Scrub with a Pumice Stone Pumice stones, sometimes called scouring sticks, aren’t just for smoothing rough heels.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Jan. 2026
Myriad attachments — including curling barrels, smoothing brushes, and a straightener — grant you endless style possibilities.
—Jacqueline Kilikita, Refinery29, 22 Jan. 2026
Made with a spandex blend and thick waistband, this trouser-like style offers a subtle shaping and smoothing effect.
—Alyssa Morin, InStyle, 18 Jan. 2026
Plus, the high-waist has a smoothing effect that’s ideal for tucking in blouses, sweaters, and T-shirts.
—Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026
By removing microscopic defects and smoothing the surface, this coating ensures efficient energy flow while preventing the cell from disintegrating under intense heat.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 12 Jan. 2026
Phased retirement can also help companies to manage the consequences of the looming workforce contraction by forestalling brain drain and smoothing succession planning — all while preserving the institutional knowledge and relationships that help companies thrive.
—Mary Moreland, Fortune, 31 Dec. 2025
Pour batter into prepared baking pan, spreading to edges and smoothing top.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 30 Dec. 2025
The blush formula is breathable, smoothing the look of pores while keeping the finish soft.
—Jailynn Taylor, Allure, 26 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smoothing
Verb
-
State health officials have been encouraging vaccination, including through facilitating mobile health unit vaccination events, to try to contain the outbreak.—
Jamie Gumbrecht,
CNN Money,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Hamas will continue to adhere to all aspects of the agreement, including facilitating the work of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza and ensuring its success.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Many tech companies have spent recent years flattening their structure by cutting middle management at a record rate.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
23 Jan. 2026
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By flattening hierarchies and empowering team members, leaders model the same transparent, participatory principles that underpin healthy democracies.—
Midhat Zwayen,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Advanced packaging – Disco Japan's Disco manufactures processing equipment and tools for the creation of computer chips, specializing in grinding and polishing equipment, which is part of the advanced packaging process.—
Tasmin Lockwood,
CNBC,
20 Jan. 2026
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The Mother’s kit requires the use of a drill and polishing pad to clean up the lights.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
18 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But now, federal prosecutors say Hennen is the fixer behind the biggest point-shaving scandal in history, accused of bribing 39 college players, corrupting 17 programs and fixing — or trying fix — 29 games to enrich himself and other gamblers.—
Andy Sheehan,
CBS News,
26 Jan. 2026
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This matters especially for risky creative choices — Stone shaving her head for Bugonia, Jordan playing twins in Sinners, Hawke embodying the rapid-fire wit of Lorenz Hart in Blue Moon.—
Hannah Abraham,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Rothblatt said, sarcastically, as Fakroune sat at the defense table rubbing his temples.—
Jason Meisner,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
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Combined with the swiveling dining table, the setup allows several digital nomads to comfortably clack away on their keyboards at the same time – no banging elbows or rubbing knees.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Nash kick-started things with a quick six points to open the third quarter, trimming it to a one-point game at 40-39.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
24 Jan. 2026
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This time, though, the Heat put together a 10-0 run as part of trimming the deficit to 103-92 entering the fourth.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Burrow, who spoke with media after the Bengals lost 18-20 to the Cleveland Browns, seemed bothered by his 'do from the start, sitting down at the mic and instantly raking his lengthy bangs back with his hands.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
5 Jan. 2026
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Cover the seed with a very thin layer of soil, approximately 1/8 inch thick, by gently raking the area.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
31 Dec. 2025
Verb
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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
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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 31 Jan. 2026.
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