smooth over

verb

smoothed over; smoothing over; smooths over also smoothes over
: to make (a disagreement, problem, difficulty, etc.) seem less serious than it really is
Don't worry about missing the application deadline—we'll smooth that over with the office.
She smoothed over the objections to his candidacy.

Examples of smooth over in a Sentence

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This formula triggers cell turnover and collagen production, per Cleveland Clinic, and in turn, smooths over fine lines and wrinkles. — Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 18 Aug. 2026 After a brief conversation with the casino bosses, it’s smoothed over and the gambling continues. — David Hookstead Outkick, FOXNews.com, 7 Aug. 2026 Dolan and her collaborators do a good job smoothing over the presentation of a fairly janky, formulaic concept, to results that are entertaining enough. — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 5 Aug. 2026 The thick scooter tires gave it confident handling and smoothed over bumps and potholes. — ArsTechnica, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for smooth over

Rhymes for smooth over

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Browse Nearby Words

smooth out
smooth over
smooth-running
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Cite this Entry

“Smooth over.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smooth%20over. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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