glossing (over)

verb

present participle of gloss (over)
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)
  1. explaining away
  2. ignoring
  3. excusing
  4. overlooking
  5. explaining
  6. forgiving
  7. justifying
  8. passing over
Verb
  • There was no explaining away a mistake like that.
    — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 15 May 2026
  • Offscreen, some fans accuse Wyle of explaining away or downplaying his fictional character’s cruelty, and of a constellation of other sins, including envy of his fellow actors’ credentials.
    — Scottie Andrew, CNN Money, 15 Apr. 2026
Definition of explaining away
Verb
  • Focusing on just the GPUs themselves—ignoring solar panels, cooling systems, and the rest of the server and networking devices—can at least provide a starting point.
    — Scott K. Johnson, ArsTechnica, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Among various allegations, the suits claim the federal permitting process was accelerated, ignoring critical risks like low-river saltwater intrusion and localized air, noise and traffic pollution.
    — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of ignoring
Verb
  • Not that Miss Manners is excusing those who burst into dinner parties after the roast has been ruined — along with the other guests’ attitudes, most likely — and then blame it on traffic.
    — Judith Martin, Mercury News, 28 July 2026
  • Part of that is the team’s fault, as Boone and Cashman have spent much of his career staunchly defending and excusing the former first-round pick’s poor play.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 8 July 2026
Definition of excusing
Verb
  • For lunch, there are two options – Sails Bar on the beach or Cayenne, the grill restaurant overlooking the sea.
    — Ann Lee, TheWeek, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Restaurant Pjerin, recognised by the Michelin Guide, is fine‑dining bliss with breakfast, lunch, and dinner served on a sleek glass terrace overlooking the Old Town.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of overlooking
Verb
  • Lanterns wastes little time explaining this backstory ad nauseam and instead creates an immediately inviting dynamic between him and Hal, who comes to him demanding information on Manhunters.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Washington recognizes this development, explaining efforts to quietly shift assets and troops to bases further away from Iran.
    — Alexander Langlois, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of explaining
Verb
  • The relentless pace of Line Sheet is forgiving for its author.
    — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The smocked bodice of this dress provides a flattering, forgiving fit that looks great on anyone.
    — Sarah Scott, Southern Living, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of forgiving
Verb
  • Only medical reasons can be used in justifying concurrent surrogacy, and a qualified physician must attest to them in writing.
    — Arthur L. Caplan, STAT, 18 Aug. 2026
  • So what can Apple offer to convince buyers not to pick up the cheaper Galaxy Z Fold 8, while justifying the extra cost?
    — Janhoi McGregor, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of justifying
Verb
  • Related Articles The board previously resolved to erect new buildings for the Latino Museum and the American Women’s History Museum, passing over Arts and Industries.
    — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The August 12 eclipse swept across the Northern Hemisphere, traveling from Russia to Spain and passing over parts of Greenland, Iceland and Portugal.
    — Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of passing over
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

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glossing (over)
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Cite this Entry

“Glossing (over).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/glossing%20%28over%29. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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