sugarcoating

American  

[shoog-er-koh-ting] / ˈʃʊg ərˌkoʊ tɪŋ /

noun

1. the act or process of covering something with sugar.

2. a coating or layer of sugar or a sugary substance.

3. a thing used to make something else considered unpleasant or disagreeable seem attractive or palatable.

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Etymology

Origin of sugarcoating

First recorded in 1905–10; sugar + coat + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

“But you can’t do that if you’re sugarcoating it.”

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 30, 2025

BENTONVILLE, Ark.—Walmart WMT 0.36%increase; green up pointing triangle executives aren’t sugarcoating the message: Artificial intelligence will wipe out some jobs and reshape its workforce.

From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 27, 2025

“There’s no sugarcoating the reality that we face next year,” said Councilmember Bob Blumenfield, who heads the council’s five-member budget committee.

From Los Angeles Times • May 23, 2024

As Elliott returns for Sunday’s race at Talladega Superspeedway, site of his last victory, there’s no sugarcoating his season.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 30, 2023

Anyway, even if she’s sugarcoating my good points, I appreciate it.

From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins