papers over

verb

present tense third-person singular of paper over
1
as in ignores
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in conceals
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 papers over With ballots set to be printed this week, the issue was appealed to the Alaska Supreme Court on an expedited basis, with both sides filing court papers over the weekend. — Joe Walsh, CBS News, 30 June 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 Adams, the Republican nominee in 2022 and 2024, was endorsed in the special election by the Independent Party and claims the secretary of the state’s office wrongly refused to accept his Independent Party nomination papers over a technicality — a missing signature. — Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 14 Jan. 2026 The acids in the cardboard can discolor photos and papers over time. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 11 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for papers over
  1. ignores
  2. conceals
  3. forgives
  4. hides
  5. overlooks
  6. obscures
  7. passes over
  8. covers
Verb
  • But that formulation ignores the crucial matter of what those things do to the people who use them.
    — Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The senator’s second argument, concerning conference expansion, ignores the fact that the Act places no restrictions on UConn’s ability to join any conference.
    — Randy Levine, Hartford Courant, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of ignores
Verb
  • The snail’s diminutive size, however, conceals a massive secret.
    — Carrie Arnold Contributing, Quanta Magazine, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Co-created by Amber Noizumi and Michael Green, Blue Eye Samurai follows the story of Mizu, a samurai who conceals her gender and mixed-race heritage after facing a life of discrimination, on a personal quest for revenge.
    — Jess Weatherbed, The Verge, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of conceals
Verb
  • But Hannah, who sees his true good nature, forgives him.
    — Kenneal Patterson, Vanity Fair, 22 May 2026
  • While The Pitt forgives and empathizes with Robby’s flaws, Robby is not called on to extend that empathy to others.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026
Definition of forgives
Verb
  • Walruses were once hunted in vast numbers, for their blubber, hides and ivory, driving them close to extinction in Svalbard’s waters, before hunting was banned in 1952.
    — Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • There clearly continues to be something very evocative about the idea that all the mundane pop-culture ephemera from one’s youth hides something darker.
    — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of hides
Verb
  • The restaurant overlooks the harbor, where orange Staten Island ferries pass by.
    — Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026
  • However, the discussion often overlooks the crucial patient-doctor relationship and human factors.
    — Lisa Fitzpatrick, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of overlooks
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
  • Rather than blocking the sun entirely, the moon obscures only a portion of it, leaving behind the eclipse's signature crescent shape.
    — Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of obscures
Verb
  • Around 92% of the lunar surface will be covered when the eclipse passes over the KC skies, and the moon will be significantly darker with a slight red hue that can be seen with the naked eye.
    — Joseph Hernandez August 25, Kansas City Star, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Regardless of whether Lala's eye passes over land, its impacts could be significant, AccuWeather Expert Meteorologist Tyler Roys said.
    — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of passes over
Verb
  • Amanda Lee Myers is a senior crime reporter who covers the death penalty, cold case investigations, breaking news for USA TODAY.
    — Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Angela George covers trending news for the Argus Leader in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
    — Angela George, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of covers

Browse Nearby Words

papers
papers over
paper-thin
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Cite this Entry

“Papers over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/papers%20over. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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