1
as in to explain
to give the reason for or cause of
after the surprise attack, military leaders struggled to explain away the nation's unpreparedness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to excuse
to make (something) seem less bad by offering excuses
tried to explain away his adulterous affairs by saying that men are promiscuous by nature
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 explain away
This opaqueness isn’t a flaw — if anything, more movies should resist explaining away the mysteries, however small, of their characters.
—
Tom Gliatto, People.com, 10 Jan. 2025
This season, injuries explained away the rough start.
—Eric Koreen, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
Vibes are still bad with this team, where Sunday, owner Woody Johnson left the interim staff to explain away an awful year.
—Chris Branch, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
Yes, Sunday’s performance was the same kind of game that was explained away early in the season, bemoaned in the fall and has become unavoidable in the twilight of the campaign.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 22 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for explain away
Tom Gliatto, People.com, 10 Jan. 2025
This season, injuries explained away the rough start.
—Eric Koreen, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
Vibes are still bad with this team, where Sunday, owner Woody Johnson left the interim staff to explain away an awful year.
—Chris Branch, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
Yes, Sunday’s performance was the same kind of game that was explained away early in the season, bemoaned in the fall and has become unavoidable in the twilight of the campaign.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 22 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for explain away
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explain away
Verb
-
Huntsville Police Sergeant Christopher Jackson explained how the law specifically targets those who deliberately modify their vehicles to be louder.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
4 Mar. 2025
-
Ray explained that the ProAngle Wig stands out in its design made for instant wear, made with high-quality manufacturing and higher density compared to others on the market.—
Fairchild Studio,
WWD,
3 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
While once seen as a sign of artistry, method acting had a rocky several years, with figures such as Succession’s Brian Cox decrying it and, seemingly, some of the public kicking back against its excesses, which is often used to excuse bad behavior.—
Callum Booth,
Forbes,
3 Mar. 2025
-
The judge did not say why the juror, who owns a truck repair business, was excused.—
Clifford Ward,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Recent Inflation Trends The FOMC had been hoping inflation would trend closer to its 2% annual target to justify further rate cuts.—
Simon Moore,
Forbes,
1 Mar. 2025
-
But does his bat even justify that? Domínguez has one hit in seven at-bats so far this spring.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
28 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Explain away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explain%20away. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share