clarify
verb
clar·i·fy
ˈkler-ə-ˌfī 
ˈkla-rə-
clarified; clarifying
1
: to make understandable
clarify a subject
The president was forced to clarify his position on the issue.
2
: to free of confusion
needs time to clarify his thoughts
3
: to make (a liquid or something liquefied) clear or pure usually by freeing from suspended matter
clarify syrup
: to become clear
… waiting for the present muddled diplomatic situation to clarify …—
Newsweek
NewsweekExamples of clarify in a Sentence
Can you clarify exactly what it is you're proposing?
Her explanation did not clarify matters much.
The president was forced to clarify his position on the issue.
The committee clarified the manager's duties.
a substance used to clarify wine
Recent Examples on the Web
Lawmakers have called on the Defense Department to release the full, unedited video footage of the deadly missile attack to clarify the sequence of events and orders given.
—Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2025
In an effort to ease tensions, his press secretary clarified that Russia would be testing nuclear engines, not warheads.
—Andrew Ryvkin, The Atlantic, 6 Dec. 2025
Then, as planets gather in adventurous Sagittarius, your commitments and relationship dynamics take center stage, sparking conversations that feel honest, necessary and surprisingly clarifying.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 5 Dec. 2025
RuPaul's Drag Race season 18 star Discord Addams clarifies to EW the truth behind a claim that she was disqualified from the show.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clarify
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Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2025
In an effort to ease tensions, his press secretary clarified that Russia would be testing nuclear engines, not warheads.
—Andrew Ryvkin, The Atlantic, 6 Dec. 2025
Then, as planets gather in adventurous Sagittarius, your commitments and relationship dynamics take center stage, sparking conversations that feel honest, necessary and surprisingly clarifying.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 5 Dec. 2025
RuPaul's Drag Race season 18 star Discord Addams clarifies to EW the truth behind a claim that she was disqualified from the show.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clarify
Cite this Entry
“Clarify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clarify. Accessed 7 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
clarify
verb
clar·i·fy
ˈklar-ə-ˌfī
clarified; clarifying
1
: to make or become pure or clear
clarify a liquid
2
: to make or become easier to understand
clarify a statement
Medical Definition
clarify
verb
clar·i·fy
ˈklar-ə-ˌfī
clarified; clarifying
: to make (as a liquid) clear or pure usually by freeing from suspended matter
clarify sewage
: to become clear
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