1
as in ignored
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 concealed
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
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Recent Examples of papered over
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
Two late goals from Liverpool in the opening fixture of their Premier League campaign papered over some very big defensive cracks.
—Liam Tharme, New York Times, 17 Aug. 2025
The underlying fundamental challenges created by the countries’ deep divisions over their economic ties, the potential for conflict over Taiwan and other hotspots, and their competing visions of the international order can only be papered over for so long.
—Scott Kennedy, Time, 16 Aug. 2025
For all the talk of bold reforms since 2012, Xi has time and time again papered over China’s cracks with government stimulus.
—William Pesek, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
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
Two late goals from Liverpool in the opening fixture of their Premier League campaign papered over some very big defensive cracks.
—Liam Tharme, New York Times, 17 Aug. 2025
The underlying fundamental challenges created by the countries’ deep divisions over their economic ties, the potential for conflict over Taiwan and other hotspots, and their competing visions of the international order can only be papered over for so long.
—Scott Kennedy, Time, 16 Aug. 2025
For all the talk of bold reforms since 2012, Xi has time and time again papered over China’s cracks with government stimulus.
—William Pesek, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for papered over
Verb
-
According to a passenger who spotted her aboard the plane, the congressional representative had ignored a friendly greeting from the economy-cabin flier.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Sometimes, they’d be turned away, and other times, ignored.—
David Rodriguez Muñoz,
Freep.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Perlstein and Vergato divided the proceeds and concealed their involvement by using personal email accounts, other corporate entities, and fake identities.—
Judith Kohler,
Denver Post,
9 Sep. 2025
-
The student allegedly admitted to taking the gun on Sunday while his uncle was in the shower and then bringing it onto the bus concealed in his pocket, according to the affidavit.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Oldenburg Film Festival has long been the place to find the strange, the overlooked and the unapologetically unconventional in indie cinema.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Sep. 2025
-
For decades, Black performers, writers, and producers have fought to carve out space in an industry that too often overlooked or distorted their stories.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Green then explained the medical and industrial applications for these new knits.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Her therapist – who Heming Willis accidentally referred to her as her own caregiver – explained how normal these feelings were.—
David Oliver,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
From New Zealand, up to 73% of the sun will be obscured at sunrise.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
In those interviews, the faces of victims were obscured to protect their identities.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Leonhard had a long playing career in the NFL, but coached seven years in college at Wisconsin before eventually landing in Denver after getting passed over for the head job at UW in 2022.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
1 Sep. 2025
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If an employee is perceived as less serious, competent or capable — even if undeserved — their ideas may be discounted, they could be passed over for promotions, face workplace bullying or judgment from their coworkers.—
Alyshia Hull,
USA Today,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
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All four sides of the building are covered by a pattern of interlocking trapezoidal pieces that serve as a sunscreen, cooling the interior.—
Vinod Sreeharsha,
Miami Herald,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Madsen later had an 11-yard TD run to counter the Eagles’ lone first-half scoring drive, which covered 72 yards in 10 plays.—
Jim Keyser,
Idaho Statesman,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Anytime there’s a federal budgetary surplus (which sounds laughable), Congress may conclude that past lawmakers have overtaxed their constituents such that a prompt return of the excess revenue is justified.—
Robert Goulder,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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Prosecutors said that seemed to be aimed at finding jurors who would be open to an argument that an attack on the presidential candidate was justified.—
Greg Allen,
NPR,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Papered over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/papered%20over. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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