as in to explain
to talk about or describe (something) in a way that makes it seem more pleasant or acceptable than it is
textbooks that sugarcoat history She has very strong opinions, and she doesn't try to sugarcoat them.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sugarcoat
This upcoming stretch could actually be dire from a process standpoint, and there’s no point sugarcoating it.
—
Thomas Drance, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024
What captivated me about the series was its unwillingness to sugarcoat the immorality of man.
—Jason Parham, WIRED, 26 Dec. 2024
To its credit, at least the movie doesn’t try to sugarcoat Dylan, whose reputation was never all that warm and fuzzy anyway.
—Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Dec. 2024
Commendably, neither the movie nor the actor sugarcoat the abrasiveness of a creative genius whose insensitivity toward people close to him often stands in stark contrast to the humanity in his songs.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sugarcoat 
Thomas Drance, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024
What captivated me about the series was its unwillingness to sugarcoat the immorality of man.
—Jason Parham, WIRED, 26 Dec. 2024
To its credit, at least the movie doesn’t try to sugarcoat Dylan, whose reputation was never all that warm and fuzzy anyway.
—Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Dec. 2024
Commendably, neither the movie nor the actor sugarcoat the abrasiveness of a creative genius whose insensitivity toward people close to him often stands in stark contrast to the humanity in his songs.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sugarcoat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sugarcoat
Verb
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This would explain those bigger groups that show up to bars and nurse one or two drinks.—
Alex Abad-Santos,
Vox,
7 Feb. 2025
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That, explains Brady, is because the Great Lakes aren’t freezing, leading to an increase in lake effect storms.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
TIME,
7 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Realizing the extent of losses from the Palisades and Eaton fires, perhaps the cost of greater water delivery capacity would now be justified.—
Harvey Levine,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Feb. 2025
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The message is clear that he is justified in his actions and need not observe the law.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
18 Feb. 2025
Verb
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When Levin was excused from the stand, Judge Mark Arnold asked if the defense was ready to put up another witness.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
10 Feb. 2025
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This might be excused as valor for protecting our planet if the science wasn’t questionable and Gov. Wes Moore’s other decisions weren’t poor.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to sugarcoat
Thesaurus Entries Near sugarcoat
Cite this Entry
“Sugarcoat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sugarcoat. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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