smooth over
Britishverb
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The mea culpa was well-received by the trio and underscored Cora’s ability to smooth over even the most awkward situations.
From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026
Futures markets later sprang up to help diffuse risk and smooth over volatility.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 29, 2026
German defence giant Rheinmetall on Sunday sought to smooth over a row caused by comments from its boss comparing Ukrainian factories producing drones to "housewives" making weapons in their kitchens.
From Barron's • Mar. 29, 2026
"Mango diplomacy" is a familiar phrase across the subcontinent, where carefully chosen crates of the fruit can grease political deals, strengthen alliances or smooth over tense negotiations.
From BBC • Aug. 15, 2025
To Piper’s surprise, the other two girls valued her skills as a go-between to smooth over any conflicts.
From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
