interpret away

verb

To smooth out undesired concepts and teachings in a text, often one of fundamental importance to a religion or ideology, by interpreting that text contrary to its spirit or original meaning.

“While there is much room for reassessing the specifics, the basic fact that the Bible teaches some form of patriarchy cannot be interpreted away.”

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Meanings

verbinterpret away (third-person singular simple present interprets away, present participle interpreting away, simple past and past participle interpreted away)

present singular third person interprets away · participle present interpreting away · participle past interpreted away · past interpreted away

  1. idiomatictransitiveTo smooth out undesired concepts and teachings in a text, often one of fundamental importance to a religion or ideology, by interpreting that text contrary to its spirit or original meaning.

    While there is much room for reassessing the specifics, the basic fact that the Bible teaches some form of patriarchy cannot be interpreted away.

Cite this entry
APA

interpret away. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/interpret%20away

MLA

“interpret away.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/interpret%20away. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “interpret away,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/interpret%20away.

Source: interpret away on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.