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Definitions

explain away

VERB
rationalize
Synonyms
STRONGEST
justify
STRONG
deliberate elucidate excise excuse extenuate reason reconcile resolve think vindicate
WEAK
account for apply logic cop a plea cop out give alibi intellectualize make allowance reason out think through

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Jean doesn’t try to explain away the contradiction.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 25, 2026

One of them attempted to explain away her condition by claiming it was difficult to speak when reporting from cold climates.

From Barron's • Feb. 19, 2026

But we tend to justify or explain away our own contradictions.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 5, 2025

South Belfast MP Claire Hanna responded by saying "some politicians are choosing to explain away" episodes of violence.

From BBC • Jun. 10, 2025

Subconsciously you feel that you must attempt to explain away your failure, as an intellectual and soldier of ideas, to actively participate in critical social movements.

From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.