The term "candy-coat," which means to give an overly positive or pleasant demeanor to something that is actually unpleasant or stressful, has a number of potential antonyms depending on the context. Some possibilities might include "face the truth," "deal with reality," or "acknowledge reality," since all of these emphasize a willingness to confront the facts of a situation instead of pretending that everything is fine. Other antonyms could include "confront," "challenge," or "expose," since these all suggest taking active steps to address an issue rather than trying to hide or ignore it. Ultimately, the most effective antonym for "candy-coat" will depend on the specific situation in question.