as in justifies
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 sugarcoats
But Shiffrin rarely sugarcoats her feelings.
—
Sean Gregory, Time, 10 Feb. 2026
Sean Gregory, Time, 10 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sugarcoats
Verb
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What is, in most cases, an individual choice made by adults does not, by itself, constitute a clinical problem that justifies federal correction.—
Cláudia Nunes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
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The realist view is that NASA wants to fly a nuclear reactor as soon as possible, and the Mars launch window justifies the aggressive development schedule (and commensurate funding) to appropriators.—
David W. Brown,
Scientific American,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Which explains everything and nothing.—
Jeffrey Eugenides,
New Yorker,
4 Apr. 2026
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One explains why inflation exists, while the other tells you what to do when your rent goes up.—
Gerald Bradshaw,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
And while absolutely none of that excuses my actions, that's what happened.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
3 Apr. 2026
-
No grievance, no workplace conflict, no personal resentment ever excuses violence.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sugarcoats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sugarcoats. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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