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
Soften and explain away are semantically related. In some cases you can use "Soften" instead a verb "Explain away".
Soften
Soften verb - To diminish the physical strength of.
Explain away and soften are semantically related. Sometimes you can use "Explain away" instead a verb "Soften".
Cite this Source
Soften and Explain away. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 02, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/explain_away/soften
Explain away & Soften. N.p., 2016. Web. 02 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/explain_away/soften>.
Soften or Explain away. 2016. Accessed August 02, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/explain_away/soften.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "explain away" and "soften" have occurred on timeline