gloss (over)

verb

Definition of gloss (over)next
1
as in to excuse
to make (something) seem less bad by offering excuses I don't want to gloss over her misbehavior, but keep in mind that she's been under a lot of stress lately

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in to ignore
to dismiss as of little importance this biographer tends to gloss over his subject's many character flaws

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gloss (over)
  1. excuse
  2. ignore
  3. justify
  4. forgive
  5. explain
  6. overlook
  7. explain away
Verb
  • Later on Tuesday morning, the district announced that all after-school activities were canceled and that any student absences would be excused.
    — Chilekasi Adele, CBS News, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Legend and good-excuse-for-gathering-in-person has it that a man is stuck inside the bean and to free him, the sculpture could use a little nudge.
    — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 9 Nov. 2026
Definition of excuse
Verb
  • Earlier, Trumpian communication actively excluded, discredited, or ignored these views.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Nov. 2026
  • Harrison’s sociological portrait is attuned to the common idea that disaster can quickly become boring—or all too quickly assimilated and ignored.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of ignore
Verb
  • And the oversized Heavenly robes are thick enough to justify padding down to the pool deck without feeling underdressed.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Nov. 2026
  • But the more serious parts of this big business-government-intellectual coalition got to work finding other emergencies to justify not only continuing that kind of wartime federal control, but accelerating it.
    — Connor Okeeffe, Oc Register, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of justify
Verb
  • Viewers tuning in to Gwyneth Paltrow’s new podcast, The Goop Guide, will be forgiven for assuming the show was filmed in a room inside her serene and stylish Montecito home.
    — Juliet Izon, Architectural Digest, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Under Iran’s system of qisas, her husband’s family could seek her execution or forgive her in exchange for diya, or blood money.
    — Tanaz Eshaghian, Time, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of forgive
Verb
  • Officials, for example, have not explained whether Young’s administrative leave was related to allegations against him personally, his supervisory responsibilities or another reason.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Respond to what’s been said, and let the other person explain the rest.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of explain
Verb
  • La Pajarera sky lounge in the Bless Barcelona overlooks Plaça de Catalunya down towards the sea, and has some of the best sunset views in the city.
    — Jaymi McCann, TheWeek, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The property is also home to two villas, both of which overlook the on-site golf course, as well as 14 suites within the Spa Mansion.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of overlook
Verb
  • O'Brien and Bashir were digitally pasted over the original actors in the former, while the latter was explained away by Sisko and Dax's madcap dash to find the elusive explosive tribble.
    — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 4 Nov. 2026
  • For Trump supporters, that means explaining away vexations like inflation and the war with Iran, twin anchors dragging down the president and fellow Republicans.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of explain away
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

glossing (over)
gloss (over)
glossy
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gloss (over).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gloss%20%28over%29. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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