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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Recent Examples of sugarcoat
Despite their clear affection for these women, the Dardenne brothers never sugarcoat their characters’ unenviable circumstance or latch onto phony bromides to alleviate our anxiety.
—
Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2026
Marie, who always considered herself an athletic person growing up, does not sugarcoat the physical demands of her profession.
—Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
In these allegories of dehumanization, greed, and hope, Marshall takes an unvarnished view of his subjects, one that doesn’t sugarcoat the past or succumb to nostalgia for a mythical, precolonial Golden Age.
—James Meyer, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026
What makes Black Photojournalism resonate is its refusal to sugarcoat the Black—and American—experience.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 29 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sugarcoat
Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2026
Marie, who always considered herself an athletic person growing up, does not sugarcoat the physical demands of her profession.
—Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
In these allegories of dehumanization, greed, and hope, Marshall takes an unvarnished view of his subjects, one that doesn’t sugarcoat the past or succumb to nostalgia for a mythical, precolonial Golden Age.
—James Meyer, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026
What makes Black Photojournalism resonate is its refusal to sugarcoat the Black—and American—experience.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 29 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sugarcoat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sugarcoat
Verb
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Craig did not stay to field questions from the media, respectfully excused for what a spokesperson described as fatigue from a long day.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
6 Feb. 2026
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So people tend to define antisemitism in a way that excuses their side, and that throws all of the blame on the other side.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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And on Desaceleradas, Beatriz chooses not to explain away cumbia rebajada’s contradictions, but to celebrate its fundamental mystery.—
Philip Sherburne,
Pitchfork,
7 Jan. 2026
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The historian doesn’t explain away Moore’s infatuation and personal association with the Ugandan dictator Idi Amin, who in 1975 invited her to attend a meeting of the Organization of African Unity in Kampala.—
Dara T. Mathis,
The Atlantic,
16 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Lisa Simon, chief economist at Revelio Labs, which collects and analyzes public labor market data, also suspects that some companies are pointing to their use of AI to rationalize layoffs.—
Mary Cunningham,
CBS News,
3 Feb. 2026
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If margins continue to grow alongside revenue, the current low multiple becomes increasingly difficult to rationalize.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile, Tesla has worked to secure millions in state and local funding for its Semi, while many in the trucking industry question whether the vehicle’s uneven development timeline justifies such heavy public investment.—
Tony Briscoe,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
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Those documents will reveal the grounds the federal government used to justify the FBI’s seizure of 2020 election records last month.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Whitwam explains that Catalina mule deer hunting was traditionally reserved for island residents and their guests, or hunters who were willing to book with a local guide.—
Kris Millgate,
Outdoor Life,
6 Feb. 2026
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Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs argued Brady’s role as a sports network broadcaster — not just a Patriots icon — explains his neutral stance.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This piece combines a supporting character palette with a leading lady frame to make something perfect for those who have a hankering to whitewash but know better.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
5 Feb. 2026
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Odessa A'zion is dropping out of a film project just two days after her involvement was announced, citing a whitewashing controversy that took over social media.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sugarcoat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sugarcoat. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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