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 While many in the music industry still have yet to speak out about their involvement with Burke, some people have clarified their relationship with the singer. — Krystie Lee Yandoli, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2026 This story has been updated to clarify that the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority is not a state agency. — Solomon Greene, The Conversation, 14 Aug. 2026 The city also installed new signs in parks clarifying the changes. — Ashley Portillo, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026 Corporate materials can clarify facts under the organization’s control, but should not override official evidence. — Miami Herald, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for clarify

Recent Examples of Synonyms for clarify

Verb

Inuspheresis—colloquially known as blood washing—is the newest therapy available at Lanserhof Tegernsee, selected for its ability to filter a wide range of unwanted substances from your plasma.

— Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 15 Aug. 2026
These include tenocytes [the primary component of tendons]; the cells that wrap around blood vessels and stabilize the circulatory system; the smooth muscle cells of the colon; and kidney epithelial cells, which filter toxins from the blood.

— Ingrid Wickelgren, Quanta Magazine, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of filter

Verb

Neither the governor's office nor Wilson's office has explained why those two sections were left out between the May draft and the final trailer bill.

— Julie Watts, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
Here, The Athletic explains the latest situation in terms of both outgoings and incomings at St James’ Park.

— Chris Waugh, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of explain

Verb

No one is as refined as the Ohio State star, but Coleman’s potential as a 6-foot-3, 210-pound, do-everything game-wrecker is tantalizing.

— Nick Baumgardner, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Diehl calls it one of the oldest tricks in styling, the pairing of something refined against something plain.

— Pooja Mistry, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of refine

Verb

Something extraordinary these episodes illustrate, in our view, is the vulnerability of America’s highly interconnected fresh-food supply chain, in which one grower or supplier problem can ripple astonishingly far.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
One of Schore's simplest techniques illustrates how quickly emotional reactions can redirect attention.

— Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of illustrate

Verb

However, measures in place to limit the spread, such as regular handwashing and social distancing, are not followed at the artisanal mining sites, where work to extract gold is done by workers using basic hand tools like shovels and pans.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
Hoffman was born in Brooklyn, one of 10 children in an ultra-Orthodox Jewish community, and raised in Montreal after her Canadian mother extracted the family.

— Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of extract

Verb

Shipping traffic remains severely restricted, demonstrating that many shipowners are not willing to risk a possible Iranian attack and underscoring Tehran’s ongoing leverage over Hormuz.

— Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
Government agencies should be expected to demonstrate the same commitment to competence, transparency, and adherence to the law.

— Sreedhar Potarazu, Baltimore Sun, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of demonstrate

Verb

In July, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health also cited Lineage for rodent and pest-control violations, fining the company $500 per day until the violations were corrected.

— Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
In 2024, a tourist was fined 12,500 kroner ($1,300) after attempting to approach a walrus.

— Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of fine

Verb

The score came in dramatic fashion, as Fields caught the pass from Dart after the QB had exited the game following a massive hit — more on that later — and was subsequently evaluated and cleared for a concussion.

— Charlotte Carroll, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
The movie, Holland’s fourth solo outing as Peter Parker, captured a record-setting $355 million in North America and a staggering $932 million globally in its opening weekend and then cleared $1 billion after just six days of release.

— Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of clear

Browse Nearby Words

clarifies

clarify

clarifying

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Clarify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clarify. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of clarify

verb

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