sugarcoats

verb

present tense third-person singular of sugarcoat
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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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 sugarcoats But Shiffrin rarely sugarcoats her feelings. — Sean Gregory, Time, 10 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sugarcoats
  1. justifies
  2. explains
  3. excuses
Verb
  • This can only reliably be achieved through a disciplined approach to governance that enables organizations not only to think big about AI, but to operationalize it in a way that justifies their efforts and investments.
    — Chris Dimitriadis, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
  • All that cash keeps many of FIFA’s member federations running, and Infantino justifies his nonprofit’s relentless commercial pursuits on the basis that the proceeds go toward growing the game globally.
    — Tom Kludt, Vanity Fair, 17 July 2026
Definition of justifies
Verb
  • There are a lot of caveats that education reporter Martha Dalton explains neatly for us.
    — Cassidy Alexander, AJC.com, 22 July 2026
  • All of that perhaps explains why Rodgers, who grew up in an evangelical Christian environment, may have rejected his family for a time.
    — Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of explains
Verb
  • In another instance, Mecklenburg allegedly excuses skeptical grand jurors from serving after arguing with them.
    — Hannah Meisel, CBS News, 9 June 2026
  • With no more patients in the waiting room, Dua excuses herself to see Haynes in the OR, where medical resident Lee has begun the procedure.
    — Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 8 June 2026
Definition of excuses

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sugarcoating
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Cite this Entry

“Sugarcoats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sugarcoats. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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