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clarify

verb

ˈkler-ə-ˌfī How to pronounce clarify (audio)
Definition of clarifynext
1
as in to filter
to remove usually visible impurities from clarify the melted butter by skimming off the milky bits

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to explain
to make plain or understandable it would help if you could clarify your position for us

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 clarify The new guidance clarifies that the mandatory testing would initially apply to only male service members. — ABC News, 18 Sep. 2026 The new guidance clarifies that the mandatory testing initially would apply to only male service members. — Konstantin Toropin, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026 Boards should ask management to clarify accountability before scaling. — David Ribott, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2026 That’s a process that can help clarify thoughts, but knowing that no one was behind the dialogue, that the empathy was a technique and not a presence, left me with a sense of being poignantly unheard. — Steven Barrie-Anthony, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for clarify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clarify
  1. filter
  2. explain
  3. refine
  4. illustrate
  5. extract
  6. demonstrate
  7. fine
  8. clear
Verb
  • Putting medications down a sink or toilet deposits them directly into wastewater, where they will likely not be filtered out.
    — Sunny Linnebur, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2026
  • To filter a movie about the origins of a zombie/monster epidemic through the point of view of a hapless outsider is an amusing, if rather one-note, concept.
    — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of filter
Verb
  • One month before the Pentagon announced its first equity stake in a company, its top lawyer asked the White House to explain why the deal wouldn’t break the law.
    — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Kane also introduced some new styles, like the asymmetrical axe bag in white leather, and the chop, a smaller, curved shoulder bag style, both centered on the idea of cutting away at a Mulberry tree to promote new growth, Kane explained backstage.
    — Lucy Maguire, Vogue, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of explain
Verb
  • Pantoja said Van has changed since December, highlighting the fight against Taira and noting the champion has refined aspects of his fighting style.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026
  • The combination of technology was developed to deliver an exceptionally soft and comfortable ride, while the overall construction was carefully refined to create a premium experience from the moment runners step into the shoe.
    — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of refine
Verb
  • The Kalshi and DraftKings cases illustrate how sports leagues face legal hurdles in trying to block gambling companies from using marks and logos in online offerings.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Documenting many varieties is a way to not just share the language, but to illustrate how dialects of Pennsylvania Dutch differ and maybe even fill in each other’s gaps.
    — Eythana Miller, The Dial, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of illustrate
Verb
  • After a years-long effort to extract just a fraction of DNA, the Bible hairs turned out not to be Jefferson’s.
    — Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Three of the four are co-ferments, which means the beans are put in anaerobic tanks, where oxygen is extracted and fruit is added.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of extract
Verb
  • The obvious next step would be to balance the look's short hemline with an equally classic pair of knee-high boots, just as Bella Hadid recently demonstrated on the streets of New York.
    — Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The Italian brand however, previously acknowledged the atelier’s contributions on social media and are bringing Chanakya artisans to an upcoming Harrods pop-up in London to demonstrate craft techniques.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of demonstrate
Verb
  • Now in Singapore, bus passengers could be fined hundreds of dollars for doing just that.
    — Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Leonard was fined $700,000 by the league but is not facing any suspension.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of fine
Verb
  • Heti cleared her throat to speak but her aunt cut in quickly.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Across the litigation, Paramount had been rankled that the government and dozens of foreign regulators cleared the purchase.
    — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of clear

Browse Nearby Words

clarifies
clarify
clarifying
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Cite this Entry

“Clarify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clarify. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

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