smoothening

verb

present participle of smoothen
1
as in smoothing
to make free from breaks, curves, or bumps smoothen the wood for the table thoroughly, or the legs will be uneven

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in polishing
to make smooth or glossy usually by repeatedly applying surface pressure smoothen the edges of the two parts before trying to join them together

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 smoothening The $10 serum is formulated with 2 percent multimolecular hyaluronic acid and Matrixyl 3000 peptide, a combination of ingredients that quenches the skin while smoothening wrinkles and firming crepey areas. — Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 24 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smoothening
  1. smoothing
  2. polishing
  3. rubbing
Verb
  • Spanx’s Shape Authentic 360 jeans are designed with all-over compression and a smoothing panel at the stomach that makes wearers feel snatched.
    — Kaelin Dodge, InStyle, 3 July 2026
  • Thanks to this fit of irrational exuberance, the NBA realized the benefits of cap smoothing and more-friendly contract-extension language in the collective bargaining agreement.
    — John Hollinger, New York Times, 1 July 2026
Definition of smoothing
Verb
  • Parker Kitternan was busy at the console of the church's pipe organ, polishing his musical tribute for the weekend.
    — Joe Holden, CBS News, 29 June 2026
  • The deceptively roomy, buttery-smooth leather style features a convertible crossbody strap, metal feet, interior pockets, and an outfit-polishing silhouette.
    — Olivia Cigliano, InStyle, 13 June 2026
Definition of polishing
Verb
  • Plus, extra padding around the heel helps prevent rubbing during long days on your feet.
    — Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 4 July 2026
  • Continue rubbing until the friction lifts the residue from the fabric.
    — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 2 July 2026
Definition of rubbing

Browse Nearby Words

smoothened
smoothening
smoothens
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Smoothening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smoothening. Accessed 8 Jul. 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!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of gambol

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

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?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

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

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

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
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All