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
This lightweight mist is designed to hydrate, tone, and clarify the complexion while preparing the skin to receive subsequent products.
—Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 13 Dec. 2025
The bill aims to protect small and mid-sized employers from catastrophic claims by clarifying that stop-loss insurance isn’t health insurance.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 12 Dec. 2025
The result is a thin yet clarifying treatment.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 12 Dec. 2025
However, the statement declined to clarify how this amendment will work beyond that general description and noted terms of the settlement are confidential.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clarify
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Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 13 Dec. 2025
The bill aims to protect small and mid-sized employers from catastrophic claims by clarifying that stop-loss insurance isn’t health insurance.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 12 Dec. 2025
The result is a thin yet clarifying treatment.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 12 Dec. 2025
However, the statement declined to clarify how this amendment will work beyond that general description and noted terms of the settlement are confidential.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 11 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 16 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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