deodorize

verb

dē-ˈō-də-ˌrīz How to pronounce deodorize (audio)
Definition of deodorizenext
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 Baking soda works well against grease spots on the stovetop and can help keep your garbage disposals clear and deodorized. — Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 16 Aug. 2026 To deodorize and tackle slow-draining sinks, sprinkle a bit of baking soda down the drain before pouring a generous amount of apple cider vinegar. — Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Aug. 2026 Lineage is also using misters inside the building to try to deodorize the food until it is removed from the site. — Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026 How steam cleaners work Steam cleaners use boiling water instead of soap to clean and deodorize carpets. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for deodorize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deodorize
  1. excuse
  2. explain
  3. justify
  4. palliate
  5. whitewash
  6. explain away
Verb
  • Or targeted other relatives to be hosts, with the precedent of your sister-in-law’s apparently being excused entirely on those grounds.
    — Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Look, saying a team should have played better doesn't excuse a questionable call that helps decide the game.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of excuse
Verb
  • Officials, for example, have not explained whether Young’s administrative leave was related to allegations against him personally, his supervisory responsibilities or another reason.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Respond to what’s been said, and let the other person explain the rest.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of explain
Verb
  • The men stopped short of signing the oath required for vouching, but Moriarty said that giving false names and starting the process was enough to justify the felony charges.
    — Mark Vancleave, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Cases like Duckett’s demonstrate why that uncertainty is justified.
    — Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of justify
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
Definition of palliate
Verb
  • The rooms, with colorful textiles, ceramics from Oaxaca’s La Chicharra studio, whitewashed walls offset with dark sapodilla wood floors, are cool and welcoming after a day in the bright sun.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Reworked by design studio Alta Projects, the cabin pairs whitewashed paneling and dark pine floors with a stone fireplace, George Nelson pendants, and a chalet-style kitchen in white oak and walnut.
    — Angela Tafoya, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of whitewash
Verb
  • In an effort to explain away his decision, Kiffin reintroduced old ghosts.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2026
  • The conversation kicked off with a discussion of faith and the rush to scientifically explain away events that may be divinely touched.
    — Nicholas Riccardi, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of explain away

Browse Nearby Words

denying
deodorize
deodorized
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Deodorize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deodorize. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of fulsome

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Old-Timey Vehicles

Ten More Words from Taylor Swift Songs

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
couple-laugh-cafe
Quiz: Foreign Phrases You Should Know Check out your bona fides and avoid any faux pas.
See All