paper over

verb

Definition of paper overnext
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 The Democrats’ bad brand, and their willingness to hand influence to outside groups to paper over it, has increasingly become a problem for them this year. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 22 July 2026 The emotional high of victory papered over the cracks, though. — The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 16 July 2026 The contradictions of their closeness aren’t papered over; the unease is allowed to linger, inflamed and ineradicable. — Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 9 July 2026 Clean sheets against an Australian team that barely attacked and a Bosnia and Herzegovina team that lacked punch going forward papered over huge problems in the defensive line. — Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for paper over
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paper over
  1. ignore
  2. conceal
  3. forgive
  4. hide
  5. overlook
  6. obscure
  7. explain
  8. cover
Verb
  • DeGravelles, who is based in Louisiana where Mohammed had been held, said harsher sanctions would be warranted if his orders continued to go ignored.
    — CBS Baltimore Staff, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Lúcia added the Maria da Penha law needed updating because violence against women in Brazil is also a matter of power and as many femicides take place out of women’s homes in situations that are reported to police but ignored.
    — Mauricio Savarese, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of ignore
Verb
  • The Shenzhen Intermediate People's Court convicted Hui, also known as Xu Jiayin, and Evergrande of engaged in large-scale financial fraud in inflating the group’s assets and concealing its liabilities.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • That concealed the actual removal of the lettering for POTUS.
    — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of conceal
Verb
  • Despite the trauma, Ashton Spears chose to forgive his father.
    — Doug Myers, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The relentless pace of Line Sheet is forgiving for its author.
    — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of forgive
Verb
  • His brother was stuffing bricks of cash in multiple places and would even wrap the money in plastic before hiding it in spaghetti sauce jars.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Paul Robinson is accused of hiding a safe containing drugs and cash.
    — Jennifer Borrasso, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of hide
Verb
  • Participants can inquire about renting an entire house or a single room, and all have access to a fully outfitted co-working space with common areas, meeting rooms, and a terrace overlooking the valley.
    — Liz Provencher, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Monitoring their shifts shows that fast solar development degrades critical vegetation and food sources, threatening local biodiversity in ways other metrics often overlook.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of overlook
Verb
  • Eclipses always travel in pairs as the sun, moon and Earth align so precisely that one obscures the other.
    — Marcia Dunn, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Those facts are obscured by their 8-8 record since a disappointing haul before the trade deadline.
    — Michael Cunningham, AJC.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of obscure
Verb
  • Neither the governor's office nor Wilson's office has explained why those two sections were left out between the May draft and the final trailer bill.
    — Julie Watts, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Here, The Athletic explains the latest situation in terms of both outgoings and incomings at St James’ Park.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of explain
Verb
  • During Sunday's game in Atlanta between the Dream and the Fever, at least three fans were asked by WNBA security personnel to cover shirts bearing messages about transgender women participating in women's sports.
    — S.E. Jenkins, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Fireplaces are stocked with fragrant piñon wood, making winter stays especially cozy, while silk covers conceal TVs and handmade Le Creuset dishware keep modern amenities from disrupting the mood.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of cover

Browse Nearby Words

paper money
paper over
papers
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Paper over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paper%20over. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All