explain away

1 to give the reason for or cause of <after the surprise attack, military leaders struggled to explain away the nation's unpreparedness> Synonyms account (for), attribute, explain, rationalizeRelated Words condone, excuse, forgive, justify; absolve, acquit, exculpate, exonerate, vindicate

2 to make (something) seem less bad by offering excuses <tried to explain away his adulterous affairs by saying that men are promiscuous by nature> Synonyms deodorize, excuse, palliate, extenuate, gloss (over), gloze (over), whitewashRelated Words sugarcoat, varnish; apologize, atone, confess; account (for), explain, justify, rationalize; minimize, play down, soft-pedal; alleviate, ease, lessen, lighten, mitigate, moderate, soften, temper; absolve, acquit, clear, exculpate, exonerate, vindicate