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

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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
  • Students who are absent due to flooding or weather conditions will be excused, and bus riders should expect delays.
    — Angie DiMichele, Sun Sentinel, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Sumrall also didn’t excuse the inconsistent play at the quarterback position.
    — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of excuse
Verb
  • The bottom line is that no aviation authority will ever ignore a bomb threat, Jeffries said.
    — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Theories abound as to why Beijing has chosen to ignore the warnings.
    — Oliver Melton, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of ignore
Verb
  • India has a strong structural growth story, but investors still need earnings growth to justify the valuation premium, Luchnikava-Schorsch said.
    — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2026
  • And in each case the president attempted to explain and justify his policies—standards Trump has routinely failed to meet.
    — Daniel W. Drezner, Foreign Affairs, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of justify
Verb
  • One would be forgiven for assuming that, as a friend of his joked, Carrère had waited to visit the country until a member of his family was running it.
    — Madeleine Wulfahrt, New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Acton, who led Ohio’s Covid-19 response, prioritized protecting the accessibility of Medicaid, forgiving medical debt, tackling surprise billing, and creating a new prescription drug plan to lower costs.
    — Sarah Todd, STAT, 4 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
  • 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
  • In an effort to explain away his decision, Kiffin reintroduced old ghosts.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 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 8 Nov. 2026.

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