Synonyms
Examples of explanatory in a Sentence
There are explanatory notes at the front of the book.
the explanatory section has as its heading “What the New Tax Changes Mean”
Recent Examples on the Web
Much as the pocket calculator long ago caused arithmetic skills to atrophy, newer technologies have made history ubiquitous instead of chronological, let alone explanatory.
—
Thomas Mallon, The New Yorker, 20 Nov. 2023
Where the explanatory voiceovers on some early Folkways recordings can be distracting, 1959’s The Sounds of Camp is nothing but pure, uncut ambience captured on site at Vermont’s Camp Killooleet.
—Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 6 Nov. 2023
Both retain explanatory value for Putin’s actions and for his faux historical ideology.
—Andrei Kolesnikov, Foreign Affairs, 20 Sep. 2023
The basics of the name, colors and crest unveiled Friday night were previously known, but there were a few new twists from explanatory press information as well as some secondary logos.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Oct. 2023
The Associated Press receives support from several private foundations to enhance its explanatory coverage of elections and democracy.
—Michelle R. Smith, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2023
Success, however, is inconsistent and contingent on many variables: the viewer’s location, age, political leaning and level of digital engagement, and whether a fact check is written or illustrated, succinct or explanatory.
—Stuart A. Thompson, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2023
The edited video released to the public contains explanatory captions from the Oceanside Police Department and images from crime scene photographers, business surveillance video and body-camera video.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Aug. 2023
The design was so painstaking that even the fine details seemed to possess explanatory power.
—Rory Smith, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2023
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Thomas Mallon, The New Yorker, 20 Nov. 2023
Where the explanatory voiceovers on some early Folkways recordings can be distracting, 1959’s The Sounds of Camp is nothing but pure, uncut ambience captured on site at Vermont’s Camp Killooleet.
—Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 6 Nov. 2023
Both retain explanatory value for Putin’s actions and for his faux historical ideology.
—Andrei Kolesnikov, Foreign Affairs, 20 Sep. 2023
The basics of the name, colors and crest unveiled Friday night were previously known, but there were a few new twists from explanatory press information as well as some secondary logos.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Oct. 2023
The Associated Press receives support from several private foundations to enhance its explanatory coverage of elections and democracy.
—Michelle R. Smith, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2023
Success, however, is inconsistent and contingent on many variables: the viewer’s location, age, political leaning and level of digital engagement, and whether a fact check is written or illustrated, succinct or explanatory.
—Stuart A. Thompson, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2023
The edited video released to the public contains explanatory captions from the Oceanside Police Department and images from crime scene photographers, business surveillance video and body-camera video.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Aug. 2023
The design was so painstaking that even the fine details seemed to possess explanatory power.
—Rory Smith, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'explanatory.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1600, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing explanatory
Dictionary Entries Near explanatory
Cite this Entry
“Explanatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/explanatory. Accessed 6 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
explanatory
adjective
ex·plan·a·to·ry
ik-ˈsplan-ə-ˌtōr-ē 
-ˌtȯr-
: serving to explain
explanatory notes
More from Merriam-Webster on explanatory
Nglish: Translation of explanatory for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of explanatory for Arabic Speakers
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