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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
  • Created by Violet Matter and illustrated by sh00, Roususu and Drawniels, The Mafia Nanny webcomic has amassed 420 million global views.
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 17 Sep. 2026
  • The project also illustrates the engineering demands that accompany the transition to a new bomber fleet.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of illustrate
Verb
  • Institute of Process Engineering (CAS), alongside Ganfeng Lithium, has launched the world’s first 500-tonne annual capacity production line in Jiangxi province to extract rubidium and cesium from lithium mining waste.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 15 Sep. 2026
  • True economic success in 2026 isn’t about extracting the last dollar from a negative-margin middle class.
    — Katica Roy, Fortune, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of extract
Verb
  • Pantone grouped 20 of the new shades into four trend palettes demonstrating how its forecast for bolder color can take several markedly different forms.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Shoppable fashion streams collapse that discovery-to-purchase journey into a single experience, letting viewers watch a product get demonstrated and buy it without leaving the stream.
    — Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of demonstrate
Verb
  • In 2011, Kobach was fined $5,000 by the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission — KPDC’s precursor — for inaccurately reporting more than $75,000 in contributions and expenditures during the 2010 election.
    — Cuyler Dunn, Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2026
  • In 2013, Kolenda was convicted in Missoula County Justice Court in Montana on one count of acting as an insurance producer without a license and was fined $10,000, officials said.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 18 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 23 Sep. 2026.

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