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 reasons for the Dodgers’ struggles are easy to explain away.
—
Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
So can the drop in standards in the Premier League, with three defeats in their last four league games, be explained away by cup-final distraction?
—Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 17 Feb. 2025
Experts say the shopping list will be difficult for the defense to explain away, especially based on the timing and the specific details about what Kohberger was allegedly looking at.
—Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 21 Mar. 2025
These digital artifacts create a detailed record of human activity and movement that’s difficult to falsify or explain away.
—Lars Daniel, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for explain away
Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
So can the drop in standards in the Premier League, with three defeats in their last four league games, be explained away by cup-final distraction?
—Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 17 Feb. 2025
Experts say the shopping list will be difficult for the defense to explain away, especially based on the timing and the specific details about what Kohberger was allegedly looking at.
—Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 21 Mar. 2025
These digital artifacts create a detailed record of human activity and movement that’s difficult to falsify or explain away.
—Lars Daniel, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for explain away
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explain away
Verb
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About The Daily Money Each weekday, The Daily Money delivers the best consumer and financial news from USA TODAY, breaking down complex events, providing the TLDR version, and explaining how everything from Fed rate changes to bankruptcies impacts you.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
14 May 2025
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As de Lara explains to Tanner, each Greek temple’s visual experience was different.—
Sonja Anderson,
Smithsonian Magazine,
14 May 2025
Verb
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No one watching in good faith could’ve mistaken her for excusing the marchers.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
1 May 2025
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The abused person may excuse their abusive partner’s behavior and even blame themselves. 6.—
Maia Niguel Hoskin,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
Verb
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Some were concerned the data was being used to justify efforts to combat climate change, although the rising cost of weather disasters is due to more than just global warming.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
14 May 2025
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This would effectively challenge pharmaceutical companies to justify their pricing to America, leading to equitable pricing.—
Omer Awan,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Explain away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explain%20away. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
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