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
Relevance
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
Its powers must stop papering over regional and local divisions and instead do the hard work of addressing them.
—
Maha Yahya, Foreign Affairs, 17 Feb. 2025
The exuberance had a way of papering over the challenges to come.
—Antonia Hitchens, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025
Although some officials in Europe have attempted to paper over the cracks widening across the Atlantic, others concede that Europe is in trouble, adrift in this new security reality.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 1 Mar. 2025
In France, the camaraderie between the two men was seen as a surface-level display that did little to paper over the growing rift in the trans-Atlantic alliance.
—Jeanna Smialek, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for paper over
Maha Yahya, Foreign Affairs, 17 Feb. 2025
The exuberance had a way of papering over the challenges to come.
—Antonia Hitchens, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025
Although some officials in Europe have attempted to paper over the cracks widening across the Atlantic, others concede that Europe is in trouble, adrift in this new security reality.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 1 Mar. 2025
In France, the camaraderie between the two men was seen as a surface-level display that did little to paper over the growing rift in the trans-Atlantic alliance.
—Jeanna Smialek, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for paper over
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paper over
Verb
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Though last Friday’s March jobs release was better than expected, with an increase in 228,000 jobs according to the nonfarm payroll report, it was widely ignored as old news due to the tariff implementation.—
Bill Stone,
Forbes.com,
6 Apr. 2025
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Pedro Pascal isn't ignoring an obvious parallel between himself and his character in the HBO series The Last of Us.—
Arabella Hau,
People.com,
6 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The film doesn’t conceal the role that informal migrant labor plays in European agriculture and the toll that its informality takes on the migrants.—
Bartolomeo Sala,
The Dial,
27 Mar. 2025
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Once concealed structural beams have been exposed, allowing the geometry of the honeycombed ceilings and the pillars to speak honestly, inviting visitors to better understand the integrity of Pereira’s original design.—
Jennifer Lee,
Forbes,
26 Mar. 2025
Verb
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In The Atlantic, Jonathan Chait forgives his ideological compatriots their Covid-era sins.—
Jack Butler,
National Review,
30 Mar. 2025
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Fans of the show knew Mama Mary for her positive energy and forgiving spirit.—
Toria Sheffield,
People.com,
29 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Because the kitchen is visible from the living and dining areas, Allison downplayed the utilitarian stuff, tucking the stainless-steel refrigerator behind a wall and hiding the range behind the island.—
Amy Panos,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 Apr. 2025
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The shooter behind the 2023 Nashville elementary school attack that killed six people, including three children, had been obsessively planning it for years while hiding mental health issues from family and doctors, a police report released Wednesday reveals.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
3 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Men with strong aptitudes for healthcare, education, and design are often overlooked.—
Marybeth Gasman,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
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Moreover, the environmental review submitted for the project glaringly overlooks the neighborhoods of Flushing, East Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, and much of Corona.—
Aimee Rosato,
New York Daily News,
30 Mar. 2025
Verb
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In one interview after the next, people asked us to obscure their full names or not record at all.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
7 Apr. 2025
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In the first, the sheepdog appears engulfed by a thick coat of long white fur, his face nearly obscured by the shaggy mass.—
John W. Dean,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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This gets at a much bigger issue: This production fails to justify or explain why this is a one-person show or what is gained by this choice.—
Christian Lewis,
Variety,
28 Mar. 2025
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New research helps explain why and how horses have an athletic advantage.—
Lauren Leffer,
Popular Science,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Here are the winter 2025 All-County honorees, covering top high school athletes from Broward County in basketball, soccer, wrestling, girls weightlifting and cheerleading.—
Steve Svekis,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Mar. 2025
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Bailey Berg is a freelance travel writer and editor, who covers breaking news, trends, tips, transportation, sustainability, the outdoors, and more.—
Bailey Berg,
AFAR Media,
28 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Paper over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paper%20over. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.
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