as in explaining
to make (something) seem less bad by offering excuses
the propaganda film attempts to deodorize the dictator's history of human rights abuses
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of deodorizing
However, these newer deodorants marketed as whole-body deodorants often do a good job at deodorizing the areas that create malodorous smells.
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ABC News,
3 Mar. 2026
An alkaline compound, baking soda is a non-toxic cleaner with a coarseness that works wonders for scrubbing grime, removing difficult stains, and deodorizing stinky odors.
—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
7 Feb. 2026
ABC News,
3 Mar. 2026
An alkaline compound, baking soda is a non-toxic cleaner with a coarseness that works wonders for scrubbing grime, removing difficult stains, and deodorizing stinky odors.
—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
7 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deodorizing
Verb
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Infographic explaining Euclid's survey ESA The original image was captured in black and white, but color was added using observations from the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope located in Hawaii.
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The original is a minor Harding work, Bacon said, explaining why judges might not have recognized Allan’s submission as a re-creation.
Verb
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This looser-fitting top sits right at the waistband and is made of a durable nylon and elastane blend that resists wear and tear (justifying the price point).
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Musk’s position that his two top holdings share a common AI vision gives him cover for justifying a deal.
Verb
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The center also alleges that the APA has put up roadblocks to allowing an official Jewish affinity group to form, while excusing inflammatory language about Zionism from an Arab, Muslim, Middle Eastern and North African affinity group.
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Plus, our governor issued a memo excusing fans from delays caused by celebrating.
Verb
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At the same time, textbooks and museums slowly but surely are eliminating or whitewashing the history of slavery.
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However, the other signs of whitewashing — multiple, vague but positive reviews — were not present.
Verb
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Instead of defining a person by a bad moment, step back to consider extenuating circumstances.
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However, there were extenuating circumstances in both games, which, when factored alongside San Antonio’s Game 3 win at Madison Square Garden and their dominance for nearly three quarters in Game 4, lend credence to the notion a bounce-back effort could well be in the cards.
Verb
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There was no explaining away a mistake like that.
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Offscreen, some fans accuse Wyle of explaining away or downplaying his fictional character’s cruelty, and of a constellation of other sins, including envy of his fellow actors’ credentials.
Cite this Entry
“Deodorizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deodorizing. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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