Explain away and 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. In some cases you can use "Explain" instead a verb "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. You can use "Explain away" instead a verb "Explain".

Cite this Source
Explain and Explain away. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 22, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/explain_away/explain
Explain away & Explain. N.p., 2016. Web. 22 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/explain_away/explain>.
Explain or Explain away. 2016. Accessed July 22, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/explain_away/explain.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "explain away" and "explain" have occurred on timeline