paper over
verb
papered over; papering over; papers over
1
: to gloss over, explain away, or patch up (differences, disparities, etc.) especially in order to maintain a semblance of unity or agreement
Synonyms
Examples of paper over in a Sentence
the differences between the two factions are too great to be papered over in the name of party unity
the company tried to paper over its red ink, issuing assurances that it was still financially sound
Recent Examples on the Web
The Vikings’ selections in recent years leave the team needing its available salary cap space to paper over issues.
—
Alec Lewis, The Athletic, 18 Feb. 2025
That helped paper over Suarez’s effectiveness waning as the season wore on.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025
The intended answer, 88 ounces, indicated that a programming or grading error had been made after the child had handed the paper over.
—Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025
But when converging circumstances cause both men to need money in a hurry, they’re forced to paper over years of hard feelings quickly and hit the road to pull a final job that prompts them to reexamine the root causes behind their failure to launch.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for paper over 
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Alec Lewis, The Athletic, 18 Feb. 2025
That helped paper over Suarez’s effectiveness waning as the season wore on.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025
The intended answer, 88 ounces, indicated that a programming or grading error had been made after the child had handed the paper over.
—Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025
But when converging circumstances cause both men to need money in a hurry, they’re forced to paper over years of hard feelings quickly and hit the road to pull a final job that prompts them to reexamine the root causes behind their failure to launch.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for paper over
Dictionary Entries Near paper over
Cite this Entry
“Paper over.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paper%20over. Accessed 23 Feb. 2025.
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