sugarcoating

verb

present participle of sugarcoat
as in explaining
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sugarcoating The script by Kevin Wade throws up hurdles of sexism and class snobbery, never sugarcoating how Tess’s male co-workers treat her like a blow-up doll. — Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026 There is no sugarcoating the reality. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 31 May 2026 Then, sugarcoating was the reflexive response. — Susan Page, USA Today, 29 May 2026 One in four jobs at risk The bank isn’t sugarcoating AI’s reach. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 4 May 2026 There is no sugarcoating the depth of disagreement between public health and MAHA over some life-and-death interventions such as vaccines. — Tom W. Johnson, STAT, 26 Jan. 2026 There’s no sugarcoating it—more intricate lace nail art can be tricky to nail (pun intended) for beginners. — Catharine Malzahn, Glamour, 27 Dec. 2025 There’s no use sugarcoating it—MGP has hit a bit of a rough patch over the past year. — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 14 Dec. 2025 Firstly, Fabian has a knack for sugarcoating unwelcome news. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 28 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sugarcoating
  1. explaining
  2. justifying
  3. excusing
  4. whitewashing
Verb
  • Lanterns wastes little time explaining this backstory ad nauseam and instead creates an immediately inviting dynamic between him and Hal, who comes to him demanding information on Manhunters.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Washington recognizes this development, explaining efforts to quietly shift assets and troops to bases further away from Iran.
    — Alexander Langlois, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of explaining
Verb
  • Only medical reasons can be used in justifying concurrent surrogacy, and a qualified physician must attest to them in writing.
    — Arthur L. Caplan, STAT, 18 Aug. 2026
  • So what can Apple offer to convince buyers not to pick up the cheaper Galaxy Z Fold 8, while justifying the extra cost?
    — Janhoi McGregor, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of justifying
Verb
  • Not that Miss Manners is excusing those who burst into dinner parties after the roast has been ruined — along with the other guests’ attitudes, most likely — and then blame it on traffic.
    — Judith Martin, Mercury News, 28 July 2026
  • Part of that is the team’s fault, as Boone and Cashman have spent much of his career staunchly defending and excusing the former first-round pick’s poor play.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 8 July 2026
Definition of excusing
Verb
  • Japan’s Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum has been accused of whitewashing the country’s wartime past.
    — George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 29 July 2026
  • The overnight removal and replacement of the panels, steps from Independence Hall, sparked outrage from Philadelphia officials and activists who say federal authorities are whitewashing the city’s history of slavery.
    — Corey Williams, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026
Definition of whitewashing

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Cite this Entry

“Sugarcoating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sugarcoating. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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