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

Relevance

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 What those agreements are hasn’t been disclosed, but the filing states these provisions generally update language, ensure compliance with state law and clarify existing practices. — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 30 July 2026 On April 11, the appeals court sent the case back to Judge Leon to clarify whether the military complex beneath was subject to his order, allowing construction to continue in the interim. — Simon Ducroquet, New York Times, 30 July 2026 Merkley said his office then held a meeting with Interior Department staff to clarify the request. — Rachel Treisman, NPR, 30 July 2026 Police officials clarified that the property owners are not involved in the investigation. — Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for clarify

Recent Examples of Synonyms for clarify

Verb

Blending coming-of-age drama with a dreamlike, science-fiction edge, the film filters Argentina’s economic instability and the pull of the digital world through the perspective of a child searching for an escape.

— Emiliano de Pablos, Variety, 30 July 2026
For starters, neither file is filtered beyond building classification code.

— Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 30 July 2026

Definition of filter

Verb

Rasa is also using AI to draft the statements that get sent to court, explaining to the judge why the expungement should be approved.

— Andrea Hsu, NPR, 3 Aug. 2026
Malloy crisscrossed the state during his first few months in office, holding 17 town meetings to explain the fiscal ticking time bomb represented by unfunded pension obligations.

— Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of explain

Verb

Growing knowledge around these and other factors would help refine masking recommendations from public health officials.

— Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
Before becoming a central figure in the renaissance of the Toronto Blue Jays, Gausman bounced around, needing time to refine his craft and maximize the potential that the baseball industry saw from an early age.

— Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of refine

Verb

The backtracking illustrates how the politics of criminal justice have shifted since 2020, posing dilemmas for Democrats’ midterm strategy and their ability to enact their preferred solutions.

— ABC News, ABC News, 31 July 2026
With so many clubs stuck in that vast middle, Detroit’s predicament illustrates the fluid nature of this deadline.

— Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 30 July 2026

Definition of illustrate

Verb

Asteroid mining is also mentioned as a potential opportunity, which would entail extracting metals and other critical resources from near-Earth and main-belt asteroids.

— Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2026
The company based in the Boston-area city of Woburn, Massachusetts, plans to build a bigger facility to extract and produce critical metals needed in not only defense but also the aerospace and automotive industries.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of extract

Verb

The city is now focused on spoiled food waste cleanup, interim housing for affected residents, and fining Lineage over ongoing air quality issues.

— Gavin J. Quinton, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2026
If models or other products break the EU’s sector regulations, called the AI Act, Brussels can fine the firms or cut off their access to the EU market.

— Sam McNeil, Fortune, 31 July 2026

Definition of fine

Verb

Contracts were signed, schedules were cleared, writers room was supposed to start this month, production was supposed to begin early next year.

— Glenn Garner, Deadline, 2 Aug. 2026
Birdie blinked slowly to clear her eyes, then carefully pressed the cold metal of the knife against her cheek.

— Rachel Yoder, New Yorker, 2 Aug. 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 5 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of clarify

verb

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