as in to excuse
to make (something) seem less bad by offering excuses
the propaganda film attempts to deodorize the dictator's history of human rights abuses
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 deodorize
Use hydrogen peroxide as a pre-wash treatment or booster to deodorize towels and bath mats.
—
Nishaa Sharma, The Spruce, 5 Mar. 2026
However, these newer deodorants marketed as whole-body deodorants often do a good job at deodorizing the areas that create malodorous smells.
—ABC News, 3 Mar. 2026
The fresh air from opening windows during drying can also naturally deodorize the mattress.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 15 Feb. 2026
Use a carpet-safe stain remover first, and then deodorize the area.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deodorize
Nishaa Sharma, The Spruce, 5 Mar. 2026
However, these newer deodorants marketed as whole-body deodorants often do a good job at deodorizing the areas that create malodorous smells.
—ABC News, 3 Mar. 2026
The fresh air from opening windows during drying can also naturally deodorize the mattress.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 15 Feb. 2026
Use a carpet-safe stain remover first, and then deodorize the area.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deodorize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deodorize
Verb
-
Back at Taylor’s house, Mayci and Mikayla excuse themselves to answer a call from Mayci’s husband, Jacob, expecting a full report of what’s been going on at Vanderpump Villa.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Vulture,
12 Mar. 2026
-
None of that excuses the crimes.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The micropipette allowed the researchers to measure electrical activity in the neuron, Gray explained.—
Clayton Dalton,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
-
The doctor explained how Moïse had to be listed under several aliases while being treated.—
Tania Francois,
CBS News,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
While discussing current events, and specifically the military conflict with Iran, Reid said that Iranians were justified in disliking the United States due to the 1953 coup in which Iran’s Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh was overthrown, an effort that Great Britain and the United States aided.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Mar. 2026
-
All this fuels engagement algorithms that the platforms use to justify their advertising rates and their stock prices.—
Kathy Kristof,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Radiation can also be used to palliate painful bone metastases, as well as chemotherapy.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Flow Space,
1 Oct. 2024
-
Senior-home avatars who are designed to palliate dementia patients in their darkest days.—
Longreads,
Longreads,
12 Apr. 2024
Verb
-
So what food crimes were these celebs whitewashing with their presence at Live Más Live?—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Once a sky-blue democracy is restored, may Trump’s days of infamy be ruled illegitimate and his name and legacy duly tainted by all of history, darkly blackened or cautiously reddened in the honest records that this twerp and his twisted cohorts have conspired so heinously to whitewash.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Former New York Jets linebacker Darron Lee asked ChatGPT for help explaining away his girlfriend’s fatal injuries a day before she was found dead in their Tennessee home, prosecutors said Monday.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
10 Mar. 2026
-
For months, the West Wing has had difficulty explaining away stubbornly high prices but has been able to celebrate the low cost of gas.—
Vivian Salama,
The Atlantic,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deodorize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deodorize. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
