Explain away
Explain away verb - To give the reason for or cause of.
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Synonyms for Explain away
Reason and explain away are semantically related. in justify topic. In some cases you can use "Reason" instead a verb "Explain away".
Reason
Reason verb - To form an opinion or reach a conclusion through reasoning and information.
Explain away and reason are semantically related. Sometimes you can use "Explain away" instead a verb "Reason".
Mutual synonyms
Both terms in one sentence
- The reason that Goblin, Vulture and Hammerhead are villains was because they were all in a freak show; this may explain away some of their less that savory behavior.
Source: The Freakshow - Either for that reason or to explain away attachments for Shipping's sake; the unwanted girl doesn't always have to die for the ship.
Source: Only Child Syndrome -
Among other wrinkles, Will's team has to explain away the defendant having packed a suitcase to leave the country without stating his real reason, that he was planning to go AWOL.
Source: Court-Martialed
Cite this Source
Reason and Explain away. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/explain_away/reason
Explain away & Reason. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/explain_away/reason>.
Reason or Explain away. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/explain_away/reason.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "explain away" and "reason" have occurred on timeline