sugarcoat

verb

Definition of sugarcoatnext
as in to excuse
to talk about or describe (something) in a way that makes it seem more pleasant or acceptable than it is textbooks that sugarcoat history She has very strong opinions, and she doesn't try to sugarcoat them.

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of sugarcoat There is no sugarcoating the reality. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 31 May 2026 Then, sugarcoating was the reflexive response. — Susan Page, USA Today, 29 May 2026 There’s no way to sugarcoat it. — Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 25 May 2026 Morgan didn’t sugarcoat the harder parts either. — Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 10 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for sugarcoat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sugarcoat
  1. explain
  2. justify
  3. excuse
  4. whitewash
  5. rationalize
  6. explain away
Verb
  • Carpino retired in April, without ever explaining what was not right in the organization or, based on the standings, repairing it.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • Davies explains that Provenance adds value, as does good condition, because textiles are particularly unforgiving and easy to damage.
    — Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 July 2026
Definition of explain
Verb
  • But the evidence does not support the claim that noncitizen voting is occurring at a scale that justifies burdening millions of eligible Americans or overriding state election systems with a sweeping federal mandate.
    — Reid Ribble, Time, 8 July 2026
  • How will Google justify the price increase outside of pointing to the mess that is the RAM crisis?
    — Janhoi McGregor, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of justify
Verb
  • Feeling overwhelmed, Martinez excused herself to the bathroom to collect her thoughts.
    — Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
  • Medellín excused herself and headed across the street — there was more fiesta to enjoy.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of excuse
Verb
  • And as much as people wanna whitewash it, that’s part of the history too.
    — Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026
  • Burns, who is Black, also pushed back on criticisms that the state’s new Black history curriculum whitewashes the history of slavery and oppression in America.
    — Austin Horn, Miami Herald, 30 June 2026
Definition of whitewash
Verb
  • His larger diagnosis is that the division machine has made every disagreement existential — and that once a political difference becomes sacred, people will rationalize almost anything to defeat the other side.
    — Afdhel Aziz, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
  • These activists have rationalized Hamas’ terrorist attacks and embraced outright antisemitism.
    — Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 29 June 2026
Definition of rationalize
Verb
  • There are other options, but regardless of what’s on the table for the future, burnout deserves to be taken seriously rather than explained away out of pride, guilt, or habit.
    — Scott Hanson, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • These subtle shifts are easy to explain away and even easier to ignore.
    — Tatiana Dias, Vogue, 30 June 2026
Definition of explain away

Browse Nearby Words

suffusing
sugarcoat
sugarcoated
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Cite this Entry

“Sugarcoat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sugarcoat. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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