Sugarcoats may be defined as the act of making something seem better or less unpleasant than it actually is. However, there are a variety of synonyms that can be used to describe this behavior. For example, one could describe this as putting a "spin" on something, or attempting to "soften the blow" of bad news. Other synonyms for sugarcoats might include euphemize, downplay, or minimize. Similarly, one could describe this behavior as "whitewashing" or "glossing over" a situation. Ultimately, these terms all refer to the act of manipulating language or perception in order to make something seem more appealing, even if it is not entirely truthful.