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
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 paper over
Families paper over trailer windows, Carroll said.
—
Kate Wells, NPR, 5 Mar. 2026
In this case, the vote also papers over Democrats’ internal divisions, given that the caucus is divided between hawkish Democrats sympathetic to attacking Iran and those who reject the attack outright.
—Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 4 Mar. 2026
Given Maryland’s budget crunch, is there some directive these agencies are following to play fast and loose with federal funds to temporarily paper over budget gaps?
—Steve Arentz, Baltimore Sun, 2 Mar. 2026
The top line’s results do come with an asterisk, though — their goal differential is boosted by Ilya Sorokin’s superb play, which has papered over some of the line’s mediocre play-driving numbers.
—Harman Dayal, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for paper over
Kate Wells, NPR, 5 Mar. 2026
In this case, the vote also papers over Democrats’ internal divisions, given that the caucus is divided between hawkish Democrats sympathetic to attacking Iran and those who reject the attack outright.
—Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 4 Mar. 2026
Given Maryland’s budget crunch, is there some directive these agencies are following to play fast and loose with federal funds to temporarily paper over budget gaps?
—Steve Arentz, Baltimore Sun, 2 Mar. 2026
The top line’s results do come with an asterisk, though — their goal differential is boosted by Ilya Sorokin’s superb play, which has papered over some of the line’s mediocre play-driving numbers.
—Harman Dayal, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for paper over
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paper over
Verb
-
This is a youngster in great form and proving hard to ignore.—
Simon Johnson,
New York Times,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Some Democrats argue that the cost of ignoring young male voters is higher than the risk of association with Piker.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Two pumps of product managed to do the trick for my full face, and suddenly my hyperpigmentation on my cheek was concealed.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Shoplifting more than $100 by concealing merchandise.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Women who report abuse are too often told to forgive, submit, or stay silent.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Not forgive, not empathize, just listen with an open mind.—
Liana Finck,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Controversial school policies hiding students’ gender transitions from parents remains a ripe issue the Supreme Court should take up, activists argue, despite the justices already handing parents a win in an emergency docket case on the matter earlier this month.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Mar. 2026
-
But her lover, the increasingly controlling and unhinged army corporal Don José, is gradually dimished to lurking in the shadows and hiding in crowds.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Camouflaged in a valley speckled with just a handful of villas and farmsteads, the 16 stone houses overlook the naked dunes and sensational sunsets of Livadia Bay.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The airline placed everyone seeking information in a conference room that overlooked the Potomac River, where the wreckage of Flight 5342 bobbed in the water.—
Brit McCandless Farmer,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The rise of high-frequency trading convinced us that everything is priced in instantly, obscuring pockets of friction.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Sheets appear to be covering the front cockpit window, obscuring what would normally be the pilots’ forward view.—
Soo Kim,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Using a synesthetic logic all his own, Torres explains why Dwayne (the Rock) Johnson is orange, Catholicism is purple, and navy blue is the nefarious color that secretly runs the world.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
-
For an overview of small business tax responsibilities, see IRS Publication 583, which explains general filing and recordkeeping requirements.—
Nancy Ashburn,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Don't go into a basement, or any room, if water covers the electrical outlets or if cords are submerged.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Around 450,000 Kentuckians currently participate in the expansion, but health care advocacy groups say changes to the program could impact all Medicaid patients, not just those covered under ACA.—
Keely Doll,
Louisville Courier Journal,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Paper over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paper%20over. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
