CLARIFY Synonyms: 73 Similar and Opposite Words

clarify

verb

ˈkler-ə-ˌfī

Definition of clarify

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

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 Pat Dowell, 3rd, and others have called the session for Monday to have the council clarify that the $75 million will go toward the city’s pensions now. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026 Woodman did not respond to comment to The Sacramento Bee following the video’s release to clarify the details. — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 28 Oct. 2026 The federal ruling from Denver was clarified three days later to exclude athletes who'd already signed professional contracts, which prompted a countersuit filed in Louisiana state court that gave those athletes a temporary restraining order. — CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026 South Korea later proposed talks on clarifying the border to prevent accidental clashes, but North Korea hasn't responded. — ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for clarify

Recent Examples of Synonyms for clarify

Verb

Beirut's private-press scene has little in common with the studio culture of ’80s Tokyo, where an abundance of resources and technology filtered the same foreign influences into something more perfect and polished.

— Shy Clara Thompson, Pitchfork, 23 Oct. 2026
Inside Clarify Clinic’s proprietary centrifuge machine, which is designed to filter contaminants out of human blood.

— Tracy Achonwa, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of filter

Verb

Officials, for example, have not explained whether Young’s administrative leave was related to allegations against him personally, his supervisory responsibilities or another reason.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026
Respond to what’s been said, and let the other person explain the rest.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of explain

Verb

Some of the buildings in Marfa are extraordinarily refined; others are rough, provisional, at times barely finished.

— Julian Rose, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2026
Rent the model, own the harness, own your context, and join the network that refines the outside world rather than digging the well that only deepens your own.

— Stephen Messer, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of refine

Verb

Kindred Black, founded in 2014 by Alice Kindred Wells and Jennifer Black Francis, illustrates the model.

— Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 6 Nov. 2026
The tight race in Mississippi is one of many that illustrate the extremely challenging political environment Republicans have faced this year.

— Chantelle Lee, Time, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of illustrate

Verb

This process initially extracts boron into a solution, which can then be concentrated for use in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026
In a divided Congress, the party that doesn’t control the White House typically uses moments including government funding and debt-ceiling hikes to extract concessions from the majority party, a practice that can lead to brinksmanship.

— Garrett Downs, CNBC, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of extract

Verb

The robot’s withdrawal also prompted discussion about the distinction between demonstrating mobility and sustaining it under demanding conditions.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2026
To qualify for World Heritage status, a property must demonstrate Outstanding Universal Value (OUV), meaning its cultural or natural significance ought to be considered exceptional from an international perspective.

— Karina Acharya, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of demonstrate

Verb

But the Portuguese soccer federation fined him and suspended him from the team for 30 days.

— ABC News, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2026
The court ordered Sotheby’s to inform the family of the identity of the buyer in the 2024 sale, or be fined €1,000 ($1,123) per day thereafter, reports Le Figaro, noting that the judgment applies immediately, even in the event of an appeal.

— Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of fine

Verb

The 6-foot-9, 240-pound Purdue transfer, cleared by the courts to play courtesy of a preliminary injunction in a lawsuit against the NCAA, came off the bench to score nine points on 4-of-5 shooting.

— Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 3 Nov. 2026
Republicans also credit Trump with clearing primary fields in several crucial races.

— Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of clear

Browse Nearby Words

clarifies

clarify

clarifying

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“Clarify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clarify. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of clarify

verb

Example Sentences

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