whitewash

1 to dismiss as of little importance refused to whitewash the governor's chronic disregard for the truth Synonyms blink (at), brush (aside or off), condone, discount, disregard, forgive, gloss (over), gloze (over), ignore, overlook, overpass, paper over, pardon, pass over, remit, shrug off, excuse, wink (at)Related Words explain, justify, rationalize; absolve, acquit, clear, exculpate, exonerate, vindicate; waive, wave (aside or off)Near Antonyms heed, mark, mind, note, object (to)

2 to make (something) seem less bad by offering excuses don't try to whitewash your rudeness by claiming that you were having a bad day Synonyms deodorize, excuse, explain away, extenuate, gloss (over), gloze (over), palliateRelated Words sugarcoat, varnish; apologize, atone, confess; account (for), explain, justify, rationalize; minimize, play down, soft-pedal; alleviate, ease, lessen, lighten, mitigate, moderate, soften, temper; absolve, acquit, clear, exculpate, exonerate, vindicate