1
as in explained
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 excused
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 explained away
Now, could it be maybe explained away?
—
Lauren A. White, CBS News, 22 Feb. 2026
One downside of Oza’s model, Kipping notes, is that any fluctuations in the levels of sulfur dioxide, sodium and potassium observed on WASP-39b can be easily explained away as variability in eruptions.
—Nola Taylor Tillman, Scientific American, 13 Oct. 2025
Maybe the nuns could be transformed into spa therapists at a wellness retreat and the toxin explained away as a surfeit of matcha.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Lauren A. White, CBS News, 22 Feb. 2026
One downside of Oza’s model, Kipping notes, is that any fluctuations in the levels of sulfur dioxide, sodium and potassium observed on WASP-39b can be easily explained away as variability in eruptions.
—Nola Taylor Tillman, Scientific American, 13 Oct. 2025
Maybe the nuns could be transformed into spa therapists at a wellness retreat and the toxin explained away as a surfeit of matcha.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explained away
Verb
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Results explained in clinical language that require several follow-up questions just to understand.—
Allison Palmer
March 9,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Mar. 2026
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In a brief conversation Monday morning, Verdugo explained why.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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And, no, the controversial coach won’t likely be excused from his post anytime soon.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
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Before the Black Caucus lobbed this bomb at him, Pritzker would have been excused for thinking that his endorsement of a different Black woman would shield him from such criticism.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The state argues Burton’s execution is justified.—
Abigail Brooks,
NBC news,
7 Mar. 2026
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Most fatal encounters involving police in Oklahoma are ultimately ruled justified under state law, a pattern that mirrors national trends.—
Stephen Martin,
Oklahoma Watch,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Explained away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explained%20away. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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