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
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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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
-
Welsh has a distinct desire to stay away from sappy and sentimental, too tidy for such a messy story.—
Courtney Crowder,
USA Today,
10 Apr. 2026
-
In April, don’t miss the rollout of Mother’s Day cards, from funny and quirky to sweet and sentimental.—
Abigail Wilt,
Southern Living,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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As data center loans increase, insurers who protect lenders if a borrower doesn’t pay, are starting to hit limits, Wolfson explained.—
April Roach,
CNBC,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Take Tyler Long and Hannah Long, a married couple from Franklinton, who as the train cut through pine trees explained their interest in visiting all the old racetracks — from Martinsville to Bristol to North Wilkesboro to, yes, Rockingham.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Knead in enough of the remaining flour to make a soft dough that is slightly sticky, 5 minutes.—
Emily Teel,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Some scrapers feature a curved tip for working with sticky ingredients.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Senior Iranian leaders have repeatedly denied Israel’s legitimacy, predicted its destruction and framed that outcome as inevitable and justified.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Customs and Border Protection rules say that pepper balls and other projectiles should not be aimed at vulnerable areas such as the head or spine unless deadly force is justified.—
Rebekah Riess,
CNN Money,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Nico Hoerner hit a leadoff homer and then delivered an RBI double during a five-run fifth inning as the Chicago Cubs beat the sloppy Tampa Bay Rays 6-2 on Wednesday night at Tropicana Field.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2026
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Still, plushy, squelchy chairs don’t have to look sloppy either.—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Many imitation almond extracts or essences rely on synthetic benzaldehyde for flavor, which can create saccharine notes that overpower delicate desserts like custards, sponges, or pastry creams.—
Emily Saladino,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
9 Apr. 2026
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In comparison, herts on fire’s linear indie folk ends up feeling somewhat saccharine.—
H.D. Angel,
Pitchfork,
9 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
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Sterilized, whitewashed, controlled, censored – all those words apply.—
Jim Axelrod,
CBS News,
22 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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From jazz history to sweet sugary beignets, here’s your day-by-day blueprint for hitting all the best spots and taking in the sights during your trip.—
Lauren Schuster,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Every bite delivers layers of texture finished with a drizzle of sugary glaze that adds just the right touch of old-fashioned bakery charm.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sugarcoated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sugarcoated. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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