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
  • But Antonelli’s ease with the new cars and Russell’s discomfort with having to adopt a radically new driving style can’t explain the half-second gap between the pair in qualifying.
    — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 20 July 2026
  • When pressed repeatedly by a Fox News cohost for specifics on the operation, Homan explained that disclosing that type of information could risk officer safety and prompt criminals to flee.
    — Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 20 July 2026
Definition of explain
Verb
  • Duke then justified its presence in the ACC championship by beating Virginia 27-20 in overtime.
    — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 15 July 2026
  • But that valuation is justified given CAVA’s strong qualitative fundamentals, such as recent menu innovations and high customer loyalty, leaving the stock attractive, Morgan Stanley said.
    — Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 15 July 2026
Definition of justify
Verb
  • Plus, any money owed to the landlord must either be paid or excused with the agreement of the landlord.
    — Cuyler Dunn, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026
  • And if hydration breaks open the (excuse the pun) floodgates for more ad inventory, then the sport inherently becomes a more valuable entity than non-World Cup action has been to-date.
    — John Cassillo, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of excuse
Verb
  • Critics have warned that the new panels replacing the ones exhibited since 2010 whitewash the history of slavery.
    — Corey Williams, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026
  • Sant Pol de Mar swaps crowded stretches of sand for quieter coves, whitewashed buildings and a noticeably calmer atmosphere than Barcelona.
    — Rebecca Ann Hughes, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
Definition of whitewash
Verb
  • It’s used to rationalize the Electoral College because should Wyoming have as much electoral power as Illinois?
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2026
  • While a cloud business may result in an even greater internal capacity constraint, the move provides the hedge the company needs to rationalize its spending.
    — Zev Fima, CNBC, 8 July 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 22 Jul. 2026.

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