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.
Related Words
Relevance
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 sugarcoating
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
That has to improve, and there is no sugarcoating it.
—Chad Graff, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
What Compassionate Leadership Looks Like Compassionate leadership doesn’t mean avoiding hard decisions or sugarcoating the truth.
—Kiran Mann, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
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
That has to improve, and there is no sugarcoating it.
—Chad Graff, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
What Compassionate Leadership Looks Like Compassionate leadership doesn’t mean avoiding hard decisions or sugarcoating the truth.
—Kiran Mann, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sugarcoating
Verb
-
Board member David Young suggested the county could devise some kind of explanation or message on the county’s website explaining the reason for the changes, and Gumz asked Lasky to come up with language for a potential disclaimer for the website to be considered by the committee.—
Molly Morrow,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Mar. 2026
-
When asked about the defective cameras in the jail and the lack of a clear timeline explaining how Epstein was able to take his own life, Blanche acknowledged mistakes.—
Erik Ortiz,
NBC news,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Sheeran inserted language into the Medicaid settlement justifying the $10 million diversion on the grounds that the Hope Florida program would be expanding into Medicaid.—
Alexandra Glorioso,
Miami Herald,
17 Mar. 2026
-
In justifying the bilateral talks, the Cuban president cited the country’s energy collapse, noting that some areas have gone more than 30 hours without power.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Americans must hold the president to a higher standard and stop excusing him like a misbehaving child from a broken home.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
7 Feb. 2026
-
But there’s no excusing Josh Allen’s four turnovers.—
Nick Canepa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
So what food crimes were these celebs whitewashing with their presence at Live Más Live?—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
13 Mar. 2026
-
At federal facilities commemorating important moments in the nation’s history, there is a wave of whitewashing rushing through.—
Ray Mark Rinaldi,
Denver Post,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sugarcoating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sugarcoating. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
