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
-
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
Verb
-
So the notion of Moreau ignoring his family’s wishes and flying to Los Angeles to see his Devils isn’t novel.—
Andre Mouchard,
Oc Register,
8 June 2026
-
The city of Aledo is considering ordinances targeting e-bikes and golf carts following numerous complaints from residents that riders are ignoring traffic rules, running stop signs and disregarding pedestrians on sidewalks.—
Mary Ella Hastings
June 8,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
The problem with ‘unforgiveness’ Forgiveness is not about excusing harm or forgetting it.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 June 2026
-
The jury was seated after three days of the selection process, with Collin County Judge John Roach excusing 150 people after meeting with attorneys Wednesday afternoon.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 June 2026
Verb
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The backstory Built on a bluff overlooking Treasure Island Beach, the hotel opened in 2003 as the flagship property of Montage Hotels & Resorts.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 June 2026
-
The opportunity to exchange their handwritten vows to one another at the Sveti Sava in Montenegro — a scenic outdoor venue overlooking the Adriatic Sea — was in part by chance, as Allen was already booked to perform on the cruise ship Oceania Allura in Italy at the very same time.—
Tricia Despres,
PEOPLE,
11 June 2026
Verb
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Alsace spent centuries moving between French and German rule — explaining why this indisputably French cake so closely resembles similar treats from across the Germanic world.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
10 June 2026
-
In explaining his vote to deny the batch plant, Flores cited its proximity to homes and Esperanza Elementary School.—
Harrison Mantas,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 June 2026
Verb
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Hopefully people will make the connection of the importance of dreaming and planning and affirmations but also the importance of letting things go, like forgiving people.—
Stuart Miller,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
-
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.—
Armando Salguero,
FOXNews.com,
8 June 2026
Verb
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But Adraee has been accused of justifying the killing of some journalists.—
Melanie Lidman,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
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But Adraee has been accused of justifying the killing of some journalists.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 June 2026
Verb
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At about the same time, the National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for south-central Clay County and northwestern Jackson County as a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was passing over the metro.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
1 June 2026
-
Jupiter's moons are in a chain of orbital resonances that could only have formed by the moons tugging gently on each other in passing over a long period of time, and crater records also suggest that Jupiter's moons are very, very old.—
Kiona N. Smith,
Space.com,
29 May 2026
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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 14 Jun. 2026.
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