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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 explain away
Such a reaction, brought about so quickly, would be easier to explain away if Avi’s life was definitively a tragedy.
—
Ben Travers, IndieWire, 22 Aug. 2025
To the transcendental artist these conventional interpretations of reality are emotional and rational constructs devised by man to dilute or explain away the transcendental.
—Roy Scranton
august 20, Literary Hub, 20 Aug. 2025
Trying to explain away a difficult play or a bad performance for some time while the storm is upon us is not an easy task to navigate or deal with and remain cool, calm and collected.
—Drew Vonscio, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Aug. 2025
This social belief explained away female self-expression as irrational and undesirable.
—Katie Collom, People.com, 12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for explain away
Ben Travers, IndieWire, 22 Aug. 2025
To the transcendental artist these conventional interpretations of reality are emotional and rational constructs devised by man to dilute or explain away the transcendental.
—Roy Scranton
august 20, Literary Hub, 20 Aug. 2025
Trying to explain away a difficult play or a bad performance for some time while the storm is upon us is not an easy task to navigate or deal with and remain cool, calm and collected.
—Drew Vonscio, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Aug. 2025
This social belief explained away female self-expression as irrational and undesirable.
—Katie Collom, People.com, 12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for explain away
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explain away
Verb
-
Since proper vesicle recycling is crucial for brain communication, this mechanism could explain why patients experience diverse symptoms – from movement problems to memory loss – depending on which brain regions are affected first.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Speaking on The Allison Hagendorf Show, Perry, the lead singer, explained just how the stars aligned for 4 Non Blondes to take the stage together once again.—
Virginia Chamlee,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
That does not excuse, but that’s his personal [life].—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
9 Nov. 2025
-
But missing Curry did not excuse the team’s lapses.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Critics also question whether demand will continue to grow at a fast enough pace to justify the investment.—
Sharon Goldman,
Fortune,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Some investors are also skeptical whether future profit growth will continue to justify the enormous amounts of spending taking place.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Explain away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explain%20away. Accessed 28 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share