GLOSS (OVER) Synonyms: 57 Similar and Opposite Words

gloss (over)

verb

Definition of gloss (over)

as in to excuse

to make (something) seem less bad by offering excuses I don't want to gloss over her misbehavior, but keep in mind that she's been under a lot of stress lately

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to ignore

to dismiss as of little importance this biographer tends to gloss over his subject's many character flaws

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gloss (over)

Verb

Feeling overwhelmed, Martinez excused herself to the bathroom to collect her thoughts.

— Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
Medellín excused herself and headed across the street — there was more fiesta to enjoy.

— Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026

Definition of excuse

Verb

Swift will either ignore the noise as usual, or smile at the absurdity as a secure, proud childless cat lady.

— Bryan West, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Not only were the rules misapplied, according to an expert referee with years of elite experience, but similar plays during this tournament have been ignored.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026

Definition of ignore

Verb

But the evidence does not support the claim that noncitizen voting is occurring at a scale that justifies burdening millions of eligible Americans or overriding state election systems with a sweeping federal mandate.

— Reid Ribble, Time, 8 July 2026
How will Google justify the price increase outside of pointing to the mess that is the RAM crisis?

— Janhoi McGregor, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

Definition of justify

Verb

There’s something about us that is, God forgive us, that evolved to enjoy that.

— David Frum, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026
Perhaps the Lakers faithful will never forgive him for his role in the disastrous Russell Westbrook trade that set the organization back for years.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026

Definition of forgive

Verb

Carpino retired in April, without ever explaining what was not right in the organization or, based on the standings, repairing it.

— Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Davies explains that Provenance adds value, as does good condition, because textiles are particularly unforgiving and easy to damage.

— Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 July 2026

Definition of explain

Verb

There are other options, but regardless of what’s on the table for the future, burnout deserves to be taken seriously rather than explained away out of pride, guilt, or habit.

— Scott Hanson, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
These subtle shifts are easy to explain away and even easier to ignore.

— Tatiana Dias, Vogue, 30 June 2026

Definition of explain away

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.

Browse Nearby Words

glossing (over)

gloss (over)

glossy

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Gloss (over).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gloss%20%28over%29. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of gloss (over)

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

tacit

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10

Popular

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes