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
There was no explaining away a mistake like that.
—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
15 May 2026
Production is either exalted or explained away.
—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Apr. 2026
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
The gallium anomaly remains similarly tough to explain away.
—
Quanta Magazine,
8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for explain away
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
15 May 2026
Production is either exalted or explained away.
—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Apr. 2026
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
The gallium anomaly remains similarly tough to explain away.
—
Quanta Magazine,
8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for explain away
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explain away
Verb
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Watching the hearing via Zoom from a prison holding room, Powell wiped his eyes and sighed heavily as Cribbs once again recited the facts of the case before Judge Rachelle Carnesale, explaining when Walton was fatally shot.
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When the Dodgers played here last month, a fan posted a picture of the menu board and explained what FTD stood for.
Verb
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She’s been canceled, kidnapped, and bamboozled, happy to tell anyone who’ll listen, and who’ll excuse her typos.
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Because he was being completely bullied and demeaned and excused.
Verb
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This looser-fitting top sits right at the waistband and is made of a durable nylon and elastane blend that resists wear and tear (justifying the price point).
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Whatever happens for the remainder of this World Cup cannot be used to justify a system that has nothing to do with development, or kids playing sports.
Cite this Entry
“Explain away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explain%20away. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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