sugarcoat

verb

sug·​ar·​coat ˈshu̇-gər-ˌkōt How to pronounce sugarcoat (audio)
sugarcoated; sugarcoating; sugarcoats

transitive verb

1
: to coat with sugar
2
: to make superficially attractive or palatable

Examples of sugarcoat in a Sentence

She has very strong opinions, and she doesn't try to sugarcoat them.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Betts has struggled all season, and there's no way to sugarcoat it. Drew Vonscio, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 July 2025 There's no need to sugarcoat it—if something isn’t working for you, tell us. Peter Boyd, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025 There’s no sugarcoating the impacts of energy conversion on both oil industry workers and consumers and managing it will be the next governor’s most perilous political and economic minefield. Dan Walters, Oc Register, 18 May 2025 To their credit, Lacy and Levin don’t sugarcoat any of this or the ways Joel flirted with disaster as his lifestyle got out of control. David Browne, Rolling Stone, 18 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for sugarcoat

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from sugarcoated

First Known Use

1858, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sugarcoat was in 1858

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sugarcoat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sugarcoat. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

sugarcoat

verb
sug·​ar·​coat ˌshu̇g-ər-ˈkōt How to pronounce sugarcoat (audio)
: to coat with or as if with sugar

More from Merriam-Webster on sugarcoat

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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