paper over

verb

papered over; papering over; papers over

transitive verb

1

: to gloss over, explain away, or patch up (differences, disparities, etc.) especially in order to maintain a semblance of unity or agreement

2

: hide, conceal

Synonyms

• blink (at)
• brush (aside or off)
• condone
• discount
• disregard
• excuse
• forgive
• gloss (over)
• gloze (over)
• ignore
• overlook
• overpass
• pardon
• pass over
• remit
• shrug off
• whitewash
• wink (at)

Examples of paper over in a Sentence

the differences between the two factions are too great to be papered over in the name of party unity

the company tried to paper over its red ink, issuing assurances that it was still financially sound

Recent Examples on the Web

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

The No 4 is a promotion-level centre-back, but the improving picture in midfield must not be used to paper over the cracks of what could quickly become a desperate defensive picture if Struijk is set for a long lay-off. —Beren Cross, The Athletic, 19 Jan. 2025

The Vikings’ selections in recent years leave the team needing its available salary cap space to paper over issues. —Alec Lewis, The Athletic, 18 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1910, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for paper over

• carryover
• changeover
• crossover
• cutover
• flashover
• hangover
• holdover
• layover
• leftover
• makeover
• moreover
• passover