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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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.
Related Words
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
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
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
Adjective
-
Strout is not a sentimental writer.—
Chris Hewitt,
Boston Herald,
10 May 2026
-
One mom also said that her daughter asked for a sentimental and practical gift, namely a pretty diploma frame.—
Sian Babish,
PEOPLE,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
Deadline shared a special preview of the series in January, with a slew of exclusive photos and a Q&A with Spiridakos, who shared insight into what fans can expect from the series and, in turn, explained some of the bits from the trailer.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
11 May 2026
-
Short explained the life perspective that enables him to find joy amid all the heartbreak.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
11 May 2026
Adjective
-
Using a flexible bench scraper or hard plastic spatula, fold dough over and onto itself several times, scraping bottom and sides of bowl, to bring together into a mass (dough will feel very wet and sticky).—
Claire Saffitz,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
12 May 2026
-
Dusting your hands with flour can also help with the sticky dough.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
His attorney cited Meade's oral and written accounts of what happened, and said the shooting was justified.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
-
Authorities said a fourth one was ruled to be justified by self-defense.—
Rick Hurd,
Mercury News,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
The Marlins were sloppy early, committing two fielding errors (by left fielder Stowers and pitcher Anthony Bender).—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
6 May 2026
-
Now, that doesn’t excuse Amad’s extremely sloppy pass, straight to Dominik Szoboszlai, who ran through unchecked to score.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
The movie is simultaneously more depressing than the original and more saccharine, with a repellent amount of affection between characters who should know better.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The symbol of the rainbow is saccharine, an easy metaphor, but who cares.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The island’s whitewashed, clifftop village offers romantic views of the Aegean Sea, and a steep, zig-zagging path climbs up the hillside to a church.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Sterilized, whitewashed, controlled, censored – all those words apply.—
Jim Axelrod,
CBS News,
22 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Since wasps like sugary foods, move hummingbird feeders away from home entrances, patios, and other areas where wasps could pose a threat.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
9 May 2026
-
With so many products on the market, knowing what each formula actually delivers — and what dietitians and reviewers say about them — can make the difference between an effective hydration habit and a sugary placebo.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sugarcoated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sugarcoated. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
