Thesaurus results for EXPLANATION

explanation

noun

ˌek-splə-ˈnā-shən

Definition of explanation

as in interpretation

a statement that makes something clear an explanation of photosynthesis that most museum visitors will be able to understand

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as in reason

a statement given to explain a belief or act when questioned by authorities, the students were at a loss for an explanation for their senseless vandalism

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of explanation Aaron McCarter, investigator-in-charge with the National Transportation Safety Board, said there is not an immediate explanation for Wednesday's fatal collision that killed the pilot of the small aircraft and injured two state troopers. — ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026 Plant-specific physics explanations could also appear during training sessions. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2026 His gait appeared to be normal, and no explanation was immediately provided. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026 Nearly six months into this war, what's the administration's explanation for what success actually looks like? — Dana Taylor, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for explanation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for explanation

Noun

His other roles included advising basketball operations on NBA rules, CBA interpretation, league memoranda, draft matters, player health, immigration, roster construction, transaction execution and roster compliance.

— Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 24 Aug. 2026
Located in Kvareli, in the Kakheti region of eastern Georgia, the foundation is devoted to the preservation and exhibition of Georgian contemporary art, as well as to its study and interpretation.

— News Desk, Artforum, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of interpretation

Noun

Requiring personnel to document a legitimate law-enforcement reason and associated case number before conducting a license-plate search.

— Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
The intense interest in the case is one reason why her lawyers are pushing for a retrial – the town was so crowded that at one stage jury members shared a hotel with the prosecution team and an informant.

— Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of reason

Noun

While a South Carolina official clarified this a day later, the number of people who saw that clarification is probably dwarfed by the number who saw the initial story and are now spreading the misinformation.

— Seth Emerson, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said the government had approached the Supreme Court to seek clarification on whether the medical relief granted to Khan applied only to the former premier or could be extended to other prisoners.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of clarification

Noun

George Newcomb, who is serving as interim CFO, will continue in his role as controller and chief accounting officer.

— Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2026
The going concern disclosure is based on a forward-looking technical accounting analysis which considers only funding that has been unconditionally secured as of the date of the assessment.

— CBS Chicago Team, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of accounting

Noun

That isn’t justification to bypass the same requirement the residents already demanded.

— Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 21 Aug. 2026
By portraying white people as under attack or unfairly displaced, these narratives transform social change into a story of persecution and provide a powerful justification for political mobilization.

— Art Jipson, The Conversation, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of justification

Browse Nearby Words

explains away

explanation

explanations

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Style

“Explanation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explanation. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of explanation

noun

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