1
as in explaining away
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 ignoring
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 glossing (over)
Verb
-
Some designers find success ignoring social media altogether.—
Rachel Tashjian,
CNN Money,
3 Mar. 2026 -
But there was no ignoring the visuals that made their way out.—
Lily Moayeri,
Rolling Stone,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Americans must hold the president to a higher standard and stop excusing him like a misbehaving child from a broken home.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
7 Feb. 2026
-
But there’s no excusing Josh Allen’s four turnovers.—
Nick Canepa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
On the same floor, Tea Lounge Kafu is a serene tearoom overlooking the bamboo atrium, with seasonally changing scroll art in its tokonoma alcove.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 Feb. 2026
-
The full-floor primary suite has boutique-quality closets and a white marble spa bath, plus an office with quality custom millwork overlooking Mohawk Street.—
Lauryn Azu,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
After serving a fragrant tempura of shiitake, Murai unexpectedly pulled out a bottle of Domaine Takahiko Pinot Noir, explaining apologetically that the winemaker permits him to pair it only with the umami-rich mushroom course.—
Alex Halberstadt,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Persons-Mulicka responded by explaining what her bill would do, but not why.—
Anthony Man,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Not everyone who heard Woodruff speak was as forgiving as Walker.—
Jennifer Gonnerman,
New Yorker,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Few plants are as forgiving as pothos.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The software simulates wind passing over the avatar, computational fluid dynamics calculate how much resistance there is — and how tweaking a skater’s form alters that.—
Howard Fendrich,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Alarmists will often focus on the negative while passing over potential positive outcomes.—
Jeff Mayhugh,
Washington Post,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Experts say this rationale is a new way of justifying bringing users’ content back to life.—
Jacqueline Munis,
Fortune,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Bonds are supposed to be for capital investments — improvements that will last for years, justifying the long-term cost of financing them.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Such stretches have previously been eliminated by the NBA, with the exception of extenuating circumstances.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Executive producer and star of the film, Danielle Brooks, stuns with her performance as a mother trying to juggle it all and offers an honest portrayal of what happens when extenuating circumstances prevent closeness and warmth within a household.—
Dominique Fluker,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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.
Cite this Entry
“Glossing (over).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/glossing%20%28over%29. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
