What is it called when you gloss over something?

When you gloss over something, it is called several things depending on context, but the general terms are whitewashing, sugarcoating, minimizing, downplaying, papering over, or sweeping under the rug. The idiom to gloss over means to treat a serious issue, mistake, or unpleasant detail superficially, to explain it away, or to cover it up with a smooth, shiny explanation that hides flaws. In communication and critical thinking, this can be described as spin, meaning adding a positive slant to make something look better than it is. In psychology, similar behaviors might be called avoidance, denial, or rationalization when someone avoids confronting a problem. In academic writing, glossing over is considered a form of superficial analysis or hand-waving. In workplace language, it might be called sanitizing or varnishing a report. In politics, it is often called whitewashing or covering up. The core idea in all these synonyms is that you are adding a polished surface layer that conceals what is underneath, making something appear smoother, less serious, or more acceptable than it really is, rather than addressing it honestly and thoroughly.