Synonyms of elucidate

elucidate

verb

i-ˈlü-sə-ˌdāt 

as in to explain

to make plain or understandable

colored charts that really help to elucidate the points made in the text

Synonyms & Similar Words

• explain
• clarify
• illustrate
• demonstrate
• illuminate
• simplify
• interpret
• explicate
• expound
• construe
• clear (up)
• analyze
• demystify
• spell out
• get across
• resolve
• define
• decipher
• solve
• specify
• unriddle
• unravel
• decode
• disentangle
• untangle
• undo
• annotate
• unscramble
• gloss
• break down
• commentate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• obscure
• confuse
• confound
• cloud
• obfuscate
• befog

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb elucidate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of elucidate are explain, explicate, expound, and interpret. While all these words mean "to make something clear or understandable," elucidate stresses the throwing of light upon as by offering details or motives previously unclear or only implicit.

elucidate an obscure passage

In what contexts can explain take the place of elucidate?

While the synonyms explain and elucidate are close in meaning, explain implies a making plain or intelligible what is not immediately obvious or entirely known.

explain the rules

When might explicate be a better fit than elucidate?

The meanings of explicate and elucidate largely overlap; however, explicate adds the idea of a developed or detailed analysis.

explicate a poem

When would expound be a good substitute for elucidate?

The words expound and elucidate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, expound implies a careful often elaborate explanation.

expounding a scientific theory

How are the words interpret and explain related as synonyms of elucidate?

Interpret adds to explain the need for imagination or sympathy or special knowledge in dealing with something.

interpreting a work of art

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of elucidate

The physicist Paul Dirac coined both terms in a speech in 1945, naming the two particle kingdoms after physicists who helped elucidate their properties: Satyendra Nath Bose and Enrico Fermi. —Matt Von Hippel, Quanta Magazine, 23 June 2025

This week has perhaps helped elucidate where Moscow truly stands, but also too Trump’s reluctance to cause Putin pain. —Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 16 May 2025

Future longitudinal and multi-modal neuroimaging studies are warranted to confirm these findings and elucidate the underlying mechanisms. —Bronwyn Thompson, New Atlas, 15 May 2025

This is a significant issue in states such as California and New Mexico, where betting is only legal on tribal land—and one not previously elucidated by the American Gaming Association in previous statements. —Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 21 Feb. 2025

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