Explain away
Explain away verb - To make (something) seem less bad by offering excuses.
Usage example: tried to explain away his adulterous affairs by saying that men are promiscuous by nature
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Synonyms for Explain away
Gloss and explain away are semantically related. In some cases you can use "Gloss" instead a verb "Explain away".
Gloss
Gloss verb - To make smooth or glossy usually by repeatedly applying surface pressure.
Explain away and gloss are semantically related. Sometimes you can use "Explain away" instead a verb "Gloss".
Mutual synonyms
Related pairs
- sugarcoat and explain away
- sugarcoat and gloss
- misrepresent and explain away
- misrepresent and gloss
- palliate and explain away
- palliate and gloss
- justify and explain away
- justify and gloss
- explain and explain away
- explain and gloss
- elucidate and explain away
- elucidate and gloss
- varnish and explain away
- varnish and gloss
Cite this Source
Gloss and Explain away. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 13, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/explain_away/gloss
Explain away & Gloss. N.p., 2016. Web. 13 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/explain_away/gloss>.
Gloss or Explain away. 2016. Accessed August 13, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/explain_away/gloss.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "explain away" and "gloss" have occurred on timeline