as in facilitating
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1
as in accelerating
to free from obstruction or difficulty
a willingness to compromise will smooth the way to an early agreement
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in flattening
to make free from breaks, curves, or bumps
the workers smoothed the surface of the concrete before letting it dry
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in polishing
to make smooth or glossy usually by repeatedly applying surface pressure
used fine sandpaper to smooth the face of the wood
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of smoothing
Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 24 Apr. 2026
But smoothing the appearance of fine lines around your eyes does not require a 12-step regimen or an appointment at the dermatologist’s office.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 23 Apr. 2026
This toner also pairs smoothing with serious barrier support.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 22 Apr. 2026
Made with 61 percent cotton, 35 percent Tencel and 4 percent elastmultiester, the fabrics give garments a soft drape away from the body while maintaining the stretch, structure and smoothing properties.
—Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 21 Apr. 2026
Plus, these formulas aren’t limited to softening and smoothing only certain hair textures.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 21 Apr. 2026
Other Dems are smoothing the way for green infrastructure development.
—Evan Thies, New York Daily News, 20 Apr. 2026
The seamless, smoothing construction of this high-neck bodysuit elevates any outfit.
—Paris Wilson, Travel + Leisure, 19 Apr. 2026
Wire-free and closure-free construction for comfort with wide smoothing back and sides.
—ABC News, 11 Apr. 2026
Verb
Unlike many mineral sunscreens that can sit heavily on the skin, this one absorbs quickly and has a lightweight, smoothing effect.
—Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 24 Apr. 2026
But smoothing the appearance of fine lines around your eyes does not require a 12-step regimen or an appointment at the dermatologist’s office.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 23 Apr. 2026
This toner also pairs smoothing with serious barrier support.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 22 Apr. 2026
Made with 61 percent cotton, 35 percent Tencel and 4 percent elastmultiester, the fabrics give garments a soft drape away from the body while maintaining the stretch, structure and smoothing properties.
—Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 21 Apr. 2026
Plus, these formulas aren’t limited to softening and smoothing only certain hair textures.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 21 Apr. 2026
Other Dems are smoothing the way for green infrastructure development.
—Evan Thies, New York Daily News, 20 Apr. 2026
The seamless, smoothing construction of this high-neck bodysuit elevates any outfit.
—Paris Wilson, Travel + Leisure, 19 Apr. 2026
Wire-free and closure-free construction for comfort with wide smoothing back and sides.
—ABC News, 11 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smoothing
Verb
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Kirah is an astrologer, educator, and creative consultant who is passionate about facilitating accessible astrological education and programming.—
Steph Koyfman,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Apr. 2026
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An arrest warrant was issued for Vicky on charges of third-degree permitting or facilitating an escape.—
Jessica Sager,
PEOPLE,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This news organization recently interviewed Poppe about PG&E’s status, including the new reality of bills flattening out or even falling.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
24 Apr. 2026
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In a town of fewer than 2,000 people, a tornado carved through a heavily residential subdivision, flattening homes and scattering families.—
Samantha Agate,
Sacbee.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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With just over a month before the FIFA World Cup, Downtown Dallas is polishing, planning, and preparing for what could be one of the busiest stretches the city has ever seen.—
Steve Pickett,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Remove the stain by simply polishing it.—
Lauren Wicks,
Southern Living,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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There have been scores of game-fixing and point-shaving scandals, notably involving the 1950 NCAA champion City College of New York, the 1978–79 Boston College men’s basketball team, and, in the 2000s, Arizona State men’s basketball.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
27 Apr. 2026
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Very often, the home seller and listing agent will ask for a very short timeline, removing the financing contingency (the full loan approval), shaving 10 days from the process with a closing in 21 days.—
Jeff Lazerson,
Oc Register,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Harvest quinoa by hitting the flower stalks against a hard surface or rubbing them between your hands to separate the seeds from the flower parts or chaff.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
27 Apr. 2026
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An employee washed hands for less than 10 seconds at the sushi bar, and the inspector wants to see 10-15 seconds of your hands rubbing each other.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Oracle Park roared to life in the bottom of the fifth as San Francisco’s offense finally got to Alcantara, trimming the deficit to 8-3 as Drew Gilbert, Eric Haase and Luis Arraez all drove in a run apiece.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
25 Apr. 2026
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Across TikTok, Instagram and group chats, young people are constantly editing themselves, trimming anything that might come off as try-hard, awkward or embarrassing.—
Rachel Hale,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Domínguez, meanwhile, has been raking at Triple-A since missing the cut for the Yankees’ Opening Day roster.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
27 Apr. 2026
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Pau Torres’s raking pass intended for Leon Bailey fell short.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The under-$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,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smoothing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smoothing. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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