sugarcoat

verb

sug·​ar·​coat ˈshu̇-gər-ˌkōt 

sugarcoated; sugarcoating; sugarcoats

transitive verb

1

: to coat with sugar

2

: to make superficially attractive or palatable

Examples of sugarcoat in a Sentence

She has very strong opinions, and she doesn't try to sugarcoat them.

Recent Examples on the Web

No sugarcoating In Europe, Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz is facing growing challenges to his leadership after another weekend of regional election losses. — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 21 Sep. 2026

His prose radiates an ecstatic pessimism, as if lit up from within by the relief of not having to sugarcoat things with comforting lies. — Peter C. Baker, New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2026

Her refusal to sugarcoat the interior and exterior lives of her characters, whether enslaved or traumatized by the past — by events in American history — was purposeful. — Leigh Haber, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026

There's no reason to sugarcoat it. — Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 2 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from sugarcoated

First Known Use

1858, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sugarcoat

• anecdote
• antidote
• asymptote
• creosote
• dimethoate
• epidote
• ferryboat
• motorboat
• overcoat
• petticoat
• riverboat
• undercoat

Kids Definition

sugarcoat

verb

sug·​ar·​coat ˌshu̇g-ər-ˈkōt 

: to coat with or as if with sugar