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.
—
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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Rock and dance music defenders alike have reached for their pitchforks, but Charli isn’t interested in debating or explaining the song to them.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
13 May 2026
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The dramatic trailer opens with Ty introducing himself in a TikTok video and explaining why he was barricaded in his room.—
Janelle Griffith,
PEOPLE,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Easily the riskiest entry of the year so far, this expensive — $200 million but who’s counting — Amazon MGM Studios gamble, powered by Ryan Gosling’s star turn as a lonely astronaut, has made $573 million globally, justifying its steep costs.—
Stephen Schaefer,
Boston Herald,
2 May 2026
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Quiet-luxury proponents would often speak of frequency of use and cost per wear in justifying a four-figure black wool sweater.—
Marisa Meltzer,
Vanity Fair,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Critics say the higher courts are excusing noncompliance In March, a federal appeals court ruled Sykes, the judge in California, had likely exceeded her authority in requiring bond hearings nationwide and blocked her February decision.—
Sudhin Thanawala,
Fortune,
2 May 2026
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Cherfilus-McCormick has denied wrongdoing, excusing the allegations as an accounting error.—
Lauren Peller,
ABC News,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Protect them with shade or by whitewashing the bark.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
17 Apr. 2026
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Some view the men's team as complicit in whitewashing the Iranian government's repression and can’t bear to watch the competition.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Citing these extenuating circumstances, Ford approached the administration late last year to request temporary tariff relief.—
Byron Hurd,
The Drive,
9 Apr. 2026
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Typically only available under extenuating circumstances, the IRS determines your eligibility for OIC based on your assets, expenses, and income.—
Kat Tretina,
Sacbee.com,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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.—
Scottie Andrew,
CNN Money,
15 Apr. 2026
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Former New York Jets linebacker Darron Lee asked ChatGPT for help explaining away his girlfriend’s fatal injuries a day before she was found dead in their Tennessee home, prosecutors said Monday.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deodorizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deodorizing. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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