gloss

gloss over

verb

Definition of GLOSS

1

to make (something) seem less bad by offering excuses <I don't want to gloss over her misbehavior, but keep in mind that she's been under a lot of stress lately>

Synonyms deodorize, excuse, explain away, extenuate, gloss (over), gloze (over), whitewash

Related 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

2

to dismiss as of little importance <this biographer tends to gloss over his subject's many character flaws>

Synonyms blink (at), brush (aside or off), condone, discount, disregard, forgive, gloss (over), gloze (over), ignore, overlook, overpass, paper over, pardon, pass over, remit, shrug off, whitewash, wink (at)

Related Words explain, justify, rationalize; absolve, acquit, clear, exculpate, exonerate, vindicate; waive, wave (aside or off)

Near Antonyms heed, mark, mind, note, object (to)