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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of deodorize
However, these newer deodorants marketed as whole-body deodorants often do a good job at deodorizing the areas that create malodorous smells.
—
ABC News, 3 Mar. 2026
Similarly, many carpet deodorizing powders pose a risk.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Mar. 2026
Gentle, deodorizing ear wipes that remove dirt and wax to help prevent itching, odor and infections between vet visits.
—Kasey Caminiti, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026
The fresh air from opening windows during drying can also naturally deodorize the mattress.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deodorize
ABC News, 3 Mar. 2026
Similarly, many carpet deodorizing powders pose a risk.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Mar. 2026
Gentle, deodorizing ear wipes that remove dirt and wax to help prevent itching, odor and infections between vet visits.
—Kasey Caminiti, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026
The fresh air from opening windows during drying can also naturally deodorize the mattress.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deodorize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deodorize
Verb
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And historians can talk about the Versailles treaty causing resentment in Germany, which led to the rise of Nazism in World War II, and that’s fine; that’s not excusing.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Apr. 2026
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No grievance, no workplace conflict, no personal resentment ever excuses violence.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Using a synesthetic logic all his own, Torres explains why Dwayne (the Rock) Johnson is orange, Catholicism is purple, and navy blue is the nefarious color that secretly runs the world.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
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For an overview of small business tax responsibilities, see IRS Publication 583, which explains general filing and recordkeeping requirements.—
Nancy Ashburn,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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At a time of widespread angst over runaway ticket prices, merely encountering something novel at a concert isn’t enough for many to justify the cost of getting in the door, particularly when superstars like Taylor Swift and SZA are on the road showing that innovation and value can coexist.—
Vanessa Franko,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Apr. 2026
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Seeing injustice justified with IQ, educators grew increasingly fed up with the indicator in the second half of the 20th century.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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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
Verb
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Our museums are being told to whitewash American history of any unpleasant or inconvenient facts, like the full history of the brutality of slavery.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
1 Apr. 2026
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The island’s whitewashed, clifftop village offers romantic views of the Aegean Sea, and a steep, zig-zagging path climbs up the hillside to a church.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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That bone-deep exhaustion during perimenopause is easy to explain away.—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
-
At the time, the signs felt easy to explain away.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deodorize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deodorize. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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