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sugarcoated 1 of 2

adjective

as in sentimental
appealing to the emotions in an obvious and tiresome way those sugarcoated versions of family life that old TV sitcoms portrayed

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

sugarcoated

2 of 2

verb

past tense of sugarcoat
as in explained
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 sugarcoated
Verb
Bluey tells compelling stories of emotional intelligence and regulation in a way that doesn’t feel sugarcoated and is hopeful rather than escapist. — Miranda Rake, Parents, 19 Feb. 2026 For its part, Housewives has sugarcoated neither Gay’s clashes with the Mormon Church and subsequent estrangement from some friends and family members, nor the painful excommunication of her castmate and cousin Whitney Rose. — Judy Berman, Time, 12 Nov. 2025 That independence is crucial for thorough, unbiased assessments and findings based solely on evidence, rather than sugarcoated conclusions that Congress or the president wants. — Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sugarcoated
  1. sentimental
  2. explained
  3. sticky
  4. justified
  5. sloppy
  6. whitewashed
  7. saccharine
  8. varnished
Adjective
  • Call me sentimental, but an epiphany at a table can linger for a long time.
    — Daniel Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Over the 28 years since its release, the original Practical Magic, despite its dismal reviews and middling box-office reception, has accrued a sentimental affection from fans.
    — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of sentimental
Verb
  • Now, in a new interview with GQ Hong Kong, Tesfaye has clarified those comments and explained his strike-that-reverse-it stance.
    — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Lynn explained that her daughter, who is a disabled veteran, earns roughly $70,000 a year between her VA disability compensation and her Social Security Disability Insurance.
    — Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of explained
Adjective
  • Raspberry jam oozed from between the layers like sticky blood.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026
  • And with inflation sticky, many expect the central bank to issue its first interest rate hike since 2023.
    — Matt Richardson, CBS News, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of sticky
Verb
  • Harvey Barnes was awarded a new contract during the summer and his early-season form has justified starting regularly.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Viewers will soon get the chance to judge for themselves whether these concerns are justified, though determining just how much damage (if any) the new regime has done to the 60 brand may take a little longer.
    — Josef Adalian, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of justified
Adjective
  • After the game on Sunday, Harbaugh called the performance sloppy.
    — Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Sunday’s season-opening debacle — a sloppy, uninspired and uninspiring 26-14 loss to the Arizona Cardinals at SoFi Stadium — was a first, giant step back for these Chargers.
    — Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of sloppy
Verb
  • Polished stone-tile floors, whitewashed walls, and spacious bathrooms are common elements of all the rooms.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The one-bedroom space is minimal, deliberately quiet, and whitewashed.
    — Katharine Sohn, Architectural Digest, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of whitewashed
Adjective
  • Together, the notes create a gourmand that feels light and fluffy rather than dense or saccharine—sweet, but never overwhelming.
    — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The coffee itself is barely noticeable under a clobbering, overly saccharine flavor that reminds me of artificial grocery-store creamer.
    — Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of saccharine
Verb
  • Although pest control companies offer lethal solutions such as carpenter bee traps or chemical treatments, the best way to keep carpenter bees from bugging you is using stained, sealed, varnished or treated wood in building projects.
    — Sarah Linn April 24, Sacbee.com, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Reaching the island is all part of the fun too, requiring you to hop aboard a vintage, slickly varnished wooden boat at Balmaha and schedule a pick-up time for the way back.
    — Rosie Conroy, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of varnished

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Cite this Entry

“Sugarcoated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sugarcoated. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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