1
as in to explain
to give the reason for or cause of
after the surprise attack, military leaders struggled to explain away the nation's unpreparedness
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2
as in to excuse
to make (something) seem less bad by offering excuses
tried to explain away his adulterous affairs by saying that men are promiscuous by nature
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of explain away
The tremors can be so muffled and distant that people continually adapt, explaining away the anomalies.
—
Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
However easy that is to explain away, that factoid remains kind of interesting.
—Clem Chambers, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
Two are explained away, but that third set of DNA is revealed without much additional explanation.
Check out: USA TODAY's weekly Best-selling Booklist
Until now.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2025
The reasons for the Dodgers’ struggles are easy to explain away.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for explain away
Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
However easy that is to explain away, that factoid remains kind of interesting.
—Clem Chambers, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
Two are explained away, but that third set of DNA is revealed without much additional explanation.
Check out: USA TODAY's weekly Best-selling Booklist
Until now.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2025
The reasons for the Dodgers’ struggles are easy to explain away.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for explain away
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explain away
Verb
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This, the team explained, increases the odds that the mice's immune systems will be able to produce antibodies against a variety of strains of HIV in the case of a future injection.—
Ian Randall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 2025
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Lee explains his perspective, as a sportswriter and as a fan, that teams and leagues are taking advantage of supporters.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
19 June 2025
Verb
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This is what happens when incitement is normalized and hate is excused under the guise of political expression.—
Lisa Katz,
New York Daily News,
22 June 2025
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More covert and implicit behaviors are also easier for abusers to deflect, excuse away, and blame their partner for.—
Maia Niguel Hoskin,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
Verb
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This pattern suggests potential sensitivity to macroeconomic shocks. LLY Valuation Sensitivity: The company’s elevated multiple, while justified by growth prospects, creates vulnerability to any disappointment in execution or market sentiment shifts.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
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In the show’s April 15 premiere, Jax strives to justify his actions in a confessional interview.—
Kate Aurthur,
Variety,
18 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Explain away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explain%20away. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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