1
as in explains
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 excuses
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explains away
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Maybe that explains her chaotic behavior when the crew goes out later that night.
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Deputy Ethan Weinzieri explains just some of the work the dogs do.
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In another instance, Mecklenburg allegedly excuses skeptical grand jurors from serving after arguing with them.
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With no more patients in the waiting room, Dua excuses herself to see Haynes in the OR, where medical resident Lee has begun the procedure.
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The good news is that the actual print quality largely justifies the inconvenience.
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Listing, pricing, shipping and storage all take time, so selling is worth it when the payoff justifies the work.
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“Explains away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explains%20away. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.
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