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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Recent Examples of explain away
For months, the West Wing has had difficulty explaining away stubbornly high prices but has been able to celebrate the low cost of gas.
—
Vivian Salama, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2026
Jean doesn’t try to explain away the contradiction.
—Emma Madden, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
Now, could it be maybe explained away?
—Lauren A. White, CBS News, 22 Feb. 2026
And on Desaceleradas, Beatriz chooses not to explain away cumbia rebajada’s contradictions, but to celebrate its fundamental mystery.
—Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for explain away
Vivian Salama, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2026
Jean doesn’t try to explain away the contradiction.
—Emma Madden, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
Now, could it be maybe explained away?
—Lauren A. White, CBS News, 22 Feb. 2026
And on Desaceleradas, Beatriz chooses not to explain away cumbia rebajada’s contradictions, but to celebrate its fundamental mystery.
—Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for explain away
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explain away
Verb
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Iannarelli explained that a core element of de-escalation is projecting calmness, as individuals often mimic those who appear angry and agitated.—
Evonne Andris,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
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The justices did not issue an opinion explaining their decision to stay Duckett’s execution.—
Martin E. Comas,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The judge found her involvement in the fraud scheme during that period undermined her eligibility and that there were no mitigating circumstances to excuse her conduct.—
Sergio Candido,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
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None of this, of course, is to excuse what Kyle said to Amanda, but an attempt to explain his psychology and illustrate how relationships on these shows are more doomed than Katy Perry’s pop career.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But manufacturers use unnecessary complication to justify charging you $100,000 for $20,000 worth of car--or $350,000 for $50,000 worth of tractor.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Mar. 2026
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Blending absurdist humor with social critique, the series explores how civility can be weaponized to justify cruelty.—
Lin Ying-Hsuan,
Variety,
23 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Explain away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explain%20away. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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