Explain and Explain away

Explain

Explain verb - To give the reason for or cause of.
Usage example: can you explain your very odd behavior at the wedding reception?

Explain away is a synonym for explain in justify topic. In some cases you can use "Explain away" instead a verb "Explain".

Explain away

Explain away verb - To give the reason for or cause of.
Usage example: after the surprise attack, military leaders struggled to explain away the nation's unpreparedness
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Synonyms for Explain away

Explain is a synonym for explain away in justify topic. You can use "Explain" instead a verb "Explain away".
Cite this Source
Explain away and Explain. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 13, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/explain/explain_away
Explain & Explain away. N.p., 2016. Web. 13 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/explain/explain_away>.
Explain away or Explain. 2016. Accessed August 13, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/explain/explain_away.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "explain" and "explain away" have occurred on timeline