1
as in to ignore
to dismiss as of little importance
the differences between the two factions are too great to be papered over in the name of party unity
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to conceal
to keep secret or shut off from view
the company tried to paper over its red ink, issuing assurances that it was still financially sound
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of paper over
No amount of spin can paper over the reality that Americans are turning away from the failing Democrat Party.
—
Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Its food business, which includes Lay’s chips, Quaker, and Rice-A-Roni, is no longer strong enough to paper over its beverage weakness; Elliott suggests some pruning.
—Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 2 Sep. 2025
How many old game-management cracks were papered over a year ago by Shedeur, the best passer in school history, and Travis Hunter, the Buffs’ best-ever athlete?
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 30 Aug. 2025
Billions in federal pandemic aid temporarily papered over structural deficits at Chicago Public Schools and in city government.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for paper over
Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Its food business, which includes Lay’s chips, Quaker, and Rice-A-Roni, is no longer strong enough to paper over its beverage weakness; Elliott suggests some pruning.
—Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 2 Sep. 2025
How many old game-management cracks were papered over a year ago by Shedeur, the best passer in school history, and Travis Hunter, the Buffs’ best-ever athlete?
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 30 Aug. 2025
Billions in federal pandemic aid temporarily papered over structural deficits at Chicago Public Schools and in city government.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for paper over
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paper over
Verb
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Over the summer the FDA convened a panel on the safety of certain antidepressants in pregnancy that tried to cast doubt on this research, ignoring the real harms of not treating depression or anxiety for pregnant people themselves and for their fetuses.—
Tanya Lewis,
Scientific American,
23 Oct. 2025
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But the writers, like Noah and Joanne, are ignoring that fundamental fork in the road in favor of inane high jinks from the couple and their increasingly irksome friends and family.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Prosecutors also alleged Friday that between December 2024 and September 2025, Blain destroyed or concealed city communications that were public records subject to disclosure under the California Public Records Act.—
Susan Gill Vardon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Oct. 2025
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Shoplifting over $100 by concealing.—
Flint McColgan,
Boston Herald,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Trump will need to hope for hostilities to be short-lasting, or for these voters to be forgiving.—
Javier Corrales,
Time,
27 Oct. 2025
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He could have been forgiven for getting a bit discouraged.—
Max Bultman,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The top is detailed with faint lines that function to hide the appearance of wrinkles, while the viscose and polyester blend do the rest of the work to create a smooth, wearable shirt.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
28 Oct. 2025
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Basil, of course, is far from perfect, a rude, neurotic, accident-prone manager who insults guests, hides his gambling winnings from his wife and organizes an elaborate impersonation of her when his surprise anniversary party backfires.—
Rhett Bartlett,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The duo hope to use their data background to show global trends and narratives around rising anti-democratic sentiment by compiling and reporting on public data that often gets overlooked or underanalyzed.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
27 Oct. 2025
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The interior ledges overlook restaurants, gift shops, and the aforementioned monorail station.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Traditional narratives obscure the role slavery might have played in Texas’ drive for independence and portray the Alamo’s defenders as freedom fighters.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
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Breaking up or obscuring the reflection makes the glass visible to birds, preventing them from hitting your windows.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In March 2025, Chelsea gave PEOPLE an exclusive update on Max's health journey, explaining that their son has had to relearn basic functions and attend physical therapy.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
26 Oct. 2025
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The canal connected increasingly specialized regions in the early US, explains historian Roger Ransom.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Dale Ellis covers the federal courthouse beat for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, reporting on criminal and civil matters that impact Arkansans.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Oct. 2025
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Swapping from premium to premium, particularly to cover off the big captaincy favourites, can lead to some huge points swings, which far outweigh any four-point transfer cost.—
Holly Shand,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Paper over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paper%20over. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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