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
The legislation clarifies the definition of data centers and allows the state Department of Environmental Quality to set the standards for data centers’ water usage, NC Newsline reported.
—Mary Ramsey
updated June 8, Charlotte Observer, 9 June 2026
Modesto Fire Department Modesto Fire originally said two people were found dead in the home, but CHP later clarified that only one person had died in the incident.
—Nina Burns, CBS News, 9 June 2026
This story was updated June 9, 2026 to clarify Dusty Baker’s business ownership and to add context to how Jerry Royster would greet Baker at the MLB winter meetings.
—Sacbee.com, 9 June 2026
Krause clarified that no corrective action was needed from the inspection.
—Mary Ella Hastings
june 9, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for clarify
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Mary Ramsey
updated June 8, Charlotte Observer, 9 June 2026
Modesto Fire Department Modesto Fire originally said two people were found dead in the home, but CHP later clarified that only one person had died in the incident.
—Nina Burns, CBS News, 9 June 2026
This story was updated June 9, 2026 to clarify Dusty Baker’s business ownership and to add context to how Jerry Royster would greet Baker at the MLB winter meetings.
—Sacbee.com, 9 June 2026
Krause clarified that no corrective action was needed from the inspection.
—Mary Ella Hastings
june 9, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for clarify
Cite this Entry
“Clarify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clarify. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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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