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
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.
—
Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2025
This social belief explained away female self-expression as irrational and undesirable.
—Katie Collom, People.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Additional forms cannot explain away a 36% increase in officers’ use of deadly force — primarily, shooting people — from 44 incidents in 2023 to 60 incidents in 2024.
—Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2025
Everyone chases trends while their million-dollar ideas get explained away.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for explain away
Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2025
This social belief explained away female self-expression as irrational and undesirable.
—Katie Collom, People.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Additional forms cannot explain away a 36% increase in officers’ use of deadly force — primarily, shooting people — from 44 incidents in 2023 to 60 incidents in 2024.
—Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2025
Everyone chases trends while their million-dollar ideas get explained away.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for explain away
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explain away
Verb
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At Sedona Aura Photos, two photos of you (face/body) along with a 22-page report will explain your energies, chakras, state of body and mind and more.—
Paige Moore,
AZCentral.com,
11 Oct. 2025
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Despite taking place at the White House, the actress explained how the film is not meant to reflect current political times but, instead, raises questions about who holds authority over nuclear weapons.—
Giana Levy,
Variety,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Actors like Andrew Garfield, Chloë Sevigny and Brian Cox have spoken out against their peers who use Method to excuse their own bad behavior.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
5 Oct. 2025
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Plumlee, who had been excused from Monday’s media day activities for personal reasons, has continued to be absent from practice this week and hasn’t spoken about his second tour of duty with Charlotte yet.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Ayton doesn’t have to reach the stardom that people once heaped upon him to justify the Lakers’ signing.—
Fred Katz,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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The president has cited protests outside Portland’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility to justify the callups of troops in the deep blue city.—
Danya Gainor,
CNN Money,
15 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Explain away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explain%20away. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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