sugarcoat

[ shoog-er-koht ]

verb (used with object)

1. to cover with sugar:

   to sugarcoat a pill.

2. to make (something difficult or distasteful) appear more pleasant or acceptable:

   There was no way to sugarcoat the bad news.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sugarcoat¹

First recorded in 1865–70; sugar + coat

Example Sentences

Heming Willis told Town and Country that she’s “never tried to sugarcoat” Willis’ condition for their two young daughters, ages 10 and 12.

From Los Angeles Times

“I cannot sugarcoat these warnings,” says Rose Gottemoeller, Nato’s former deputy secretary general.

From BBC

The arguments made by antiabortion states to sugarcoat their manifestly misogynistic policies have always borne the acrid odor of cynicism and hypocrisy.

From Los Angeles Times

"The movie doesn’t sugarcoat or downplay how difficult it was for Reeve to transition to being a disabled person," added Carla Hay of Culture Mix.

From BBC

But in San Francisco, home to a swath of AI firms that have raised billions of dollars, there is more excitement, although tech enthusiasts did not sugarcoat its effects.

From Los Angeles Times