as in explaining
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 sugarcoating
One in four jobs at risk The bank isn’t sugarcoating AI’s reach.
—
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 4 May 2026
KitKat is not sugarcoating its quest to find thousands of missing chocolates after thieves targeted the candy bar maker.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
There is no sugarcoating the depth of disagreement between public health and MAHA over some life-and-death interventions such as vaccines.
—Tom W. Johnson, STAT, 26 Jan. 2026
There’s no sugarcoating it—more intricate lace nail art can be tricky to nail (pun intended) for beginners.
—Catharine Malzahn, Glamour, 27 Dec. 2025
There’s no use sugarcoating it—MGP has hit a bit of a rough patch over the past year.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 14 Dec. 2025
Firstly, Fabian has a knack for sugarcoating unwelcome news.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 28 Nov. 2025
This is your cue to stop sugarcoating.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
There was no sugarcoating their first loss in four games to start the season.
—Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 28 Sep. 2025
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 4 May 2026
KitKat is not sugarcoating its quest to find thousands of missing chocolates after thieves targeted the candy bar maker.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
There is no sugarcoating the depth of disagreement between public health and MAHA over some life-and-death interventions such as vaccines.
—Tom W. Johnson, STAT, 26 Jan. 2026
There’s no sugarcoating it—more intricate lace nail art can be tricky to nail (pun intended) for beginners.
—Catharine Malzahn, Glamour, 27 Dec. 2025
There’s no use sugarcoating it—MGP has hit a bit of a rough patch over the past year.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 14 Dec. 2025
Firstly, Fabian has a knack for sugarcoating unwelcome news.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 28 Nov. 2025
This is your cue to stop sugarcoating.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
There was no sugarcoating their first loss in four games to start the season.
—Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 28 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sugarcoating
Verb
-
Gianni Infantino tried to defend FIFA’s World Cup ticket prices by explaining American sports to Americans.—
Dan Zaksheske OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
6 May 2026
-
Berry later apologized by email to Crocker, Cal-OSHA’s Sacramento District Manager, explaining that an arson and bomb investigator for Cal Fire, Gershom Slonim, had told Voller not to grant the interview.—
Joe Rubin,
Sacbee.com,
6 May 2026
Verb
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Easily the riskiest entry of the year so far, this expensive — $200 million but who’s counting — Amazon MGM Studios gamble, powered by Ryan Gosling’s star turn as a lonely astronaut, has made $573 million globally, justifying its steep costs.—
Stephen Schaefer,
Boston Herald,
2 May 2026
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Quiet-luxury proponents would often speak of frequency of use and cost per wear in justifying a four-figure black wool sweater.—
Marisa Meltzer,
Vanity Fair,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Critics say the higher courts are excusing noncompliance In March, a federal appeals court ruled Sykes, the judge in California, had likely exceeded her authority in requiring bond hearings nationwide and blocked her February decision.—
Sudhin Thanawala,
Fortune,
2 May 2026
-
Cherfilus-McCormick has denied wrongdoing, excusing the allegations as an accounting error.—
Lauren Peller,
ABC News,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Protect them with shade or by whitewashing the bark.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Some view the men's team as complicit in whitewashing the Iranian government's repression and can’t bear to watch the competition.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sugarcoating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sugarcoating. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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