How to Use smooth over in a Sentence

smooth over

verb
  • That could smooth over some of the tension.
    — Charlotte Observer, 18 June 2026
  • In the end, though, all that pageantry can only smooth over so much.
    — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 7 Feb. 2026
  • Not every tense moment needs to be smoothed over.
    — Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
  • Then, Daisy speaks with Ben, hoping to smooth over the service before the guests’ arrival.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2026
  • This set with a 100% mulberry silk face mask and pillowcase, both of which help smooth over fine lines and frizz.
    — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 17 Nov. 2025
  • This set with a 100% mulberry silk face mask and pillowcase, both of which help smooth over fine lines and frizz.
    — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 28 Nov. 2025
  • This set with a 100% mulberry silk face mask and pillowcase, both of which help smooth over fine lines and frizz.
    — Blake Bakkila, Architectural Digest, 1 Dec. 2025
  • Skin should appear deeply nourished with a plumping effect that smooths over fine lines and other expression lines.
    — Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Telling the story this way elides, smooths over, and underestimates the role of circumstance and dumb luck.
    — Charles Yu, The Atlantic, 5 Mar. 2026
  • Human features are smoothed over, details are a touch too simplistic, and something about the movement feels way off.
    — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 25 Feb. 2026
  • And hydrating glycerin and soothing aloe vera put in the work to smooth over any irritation.
    — Sarah Felbin, Allure, 25 Feb. 2026
  • McCarthy spent weeks with private throwing coach John Beck to smooth over some of these issues.
    — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 22 May 2026
  • The process remains audible throughout — nothing is fully smoothed over.
    — Keegan Brady, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Industry norms have developed to smooth over those differences.
    — Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 24 Jan. 2026
  • China, for its part, is happy to encourage French ambitions and smooth over points of contention.
    — Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
  • For the Royals’ sake, hopefully Perez and Quatraro can smooth over any issues there might be.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 19 Apr. 2026
  • Cuts and restructures are required to smooth over the team’s cap situation for 2026.
    — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2026
  • Now, the goal is simply to smooth over relations between the two dueling superpowers.
    — Cate Martel, The Hill, 13 May 2026
  • Though the meeting lasted just under an hour, many interpreted the move as a positive step in smoothing over the very public royal rift.
    — Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 17 June 2026
  • This can, in turn, leave Cancer feeling as though Libra is smoothing over problems rather than truly engaging with them.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 24 June 2026
  • The Moon is uplifting Chiron, smoothing over any rough edges in your 2nd House of Wealth.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 5 Jan. 2026
  • Conflict is often treated as something that needs to be minimized, smoothed over or eliminated as quickly as possible.
    — Souzan Bachir, Forbes.com, 5 Feb. 2026
  • These jeans are a flattering favorite in my closet; their stretchy denim blend stays comfy all day long, while accentuating my curves and smoothing over my tummy.
    — Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 22 June 2026
  • The mea culpa was well-received by the trio and underscored Cora’s ability to smooth over even the most awkward situations.
    — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
  • The piece sits low to the ground and gathers organic and industrial materials without smoothing over the tension between them.
    — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 1 May 2026
  • Giza cotton is more luxurious and durable than standard cotton, with extra-long fibers that resist pilling, withstand regular washing, and remain smooth over time.
    — Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Nov. 2025
  • The unrefined nature keeps some ideas from feeling fleshed out, but Veeze’s personality and precise execution smooth over the rough edges.
    — Matthew Ritchie, Pitchfork, 2 June 2026
  • Whether opening weekend viewers knew about the Barrera controversy or not, Williamson’s sequel is bad in a way no marketing campaign can fully smooth over.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 2 Mar. 2026
  • Clever, except that Justin Peck has physically and visually smoothed over a musically complex moment.
    — Jennifer Homans, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
  • A day later, Paramount offered concessions in a bid to smooth over European Commission concerns.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 3 July 2026

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'smooth over.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Last Updated: