as in illuminating
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
1
as in filtering
to remove usually visible impurities from
clarify the melted butter by skimming off the milky bits
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in explaining
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 clarifying
Dominic Patten, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2025
And that was a clarifying moment for me in my understanding of their relationship.
—Max Gao, Variety, 29 Aug. 2025
Working at the Taller de Gráfica Popular allowed for a clarifying moment of vision, one that drove her work—politically and artistically—for the rest of her life.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
But this was a clarifying moment for me, as the photo’s release validated other information my source had been sharing in recent weeks.
—Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 4 Sep. 2024
Tuesday against Brooklyn's collection of wings will provide a more clarifying test.
—Michael Shapiro, Chron, 6 Mar. 2023
Hank Willis Thomas has meditated on the commercialization of Black stereotypes, in ways that are generally more clarifying than Colescott’s histrionic approach.
—Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 18 Aug. 2022
Kyle's clarifying questions ultimately yield a few non-clarifying answers.
—Jodi Walker, EW.com, 16 Sep. 2021
The most clarifying political moment of the era came with the 1912 presidential election, when corporate concentration was explicitly on the ballot.
—Zephyr Teachout, Foreign Affairs, 8 Dec. 2020
Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 6 Nov. 2025
Modern shutdowns date back to 1980, when the attorney general issued legal guidance clarifying that agencies could not spend without congressional approval.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
The issue of faith and LGBTQ+ issues became part of the mayoral and council campaigns, with both candidates clarifying their views to voters.
—Niraj Warikoo, Freep.com, 5 Nov. 2025
The county's chief judge has been working for six months on a formal policy clarifying the extent of federal authority in local courtrooms.
—David Clarey, jsonline.com, 4 Nov. 2025
The former Fox News personality blasted Curtis for clarifying a set of comments regarding the conservative activist's killing on Wednesday's episode of The Megyn Kelly Show.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
For David Martin, the outcome was upsetting but clarifying.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 30 Oct. 2025
Jamie Lee Curtis is clarifying her reaction to the killing of Charlie Kirk.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025
Thanks for clarifying, Michael.
—Megan Johnson, Architectural Digest, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
It’s been very clarifying and really, for lack of a better word, helpful, in framing for us, really, and reminding us what, what this festival is, what is Mr. Redford’s legacy.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2025
And that was a clarifying moment for me in my understanding of their relationship.
—Max Gao, Variety, 29 Aug. 2025
Working at the Taller de Gráfica Popular allowed for a clarifying moment of vision, one that drove her work—politically and artistically—for the rest of her life.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
But this was a clarifying moment for me, as the photo’s release validated other information my source had been sharing in recent weeks.
—Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 4 Sep. 2024
Tuesday against Brooklyn's collection of wings will provide a more clarifying test.
—Michael Shapiro, Chron, 6 Mar. 2023
Hank Willis Thomas has meditated on the commercialization of Black stereotypes, in ways that are generally more clarifying than Colescott’s histrionic approach.
—Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 18 Aug. 2022
Kyle's clarifying questions ultimately yield a few non-clarifying answers.
—Jodi Walker, EW.com, 16 Sep. 2021
The most clarifying political moment of the era came with the 1912 presidential election, when corporate concentration was explicitly on the ballot.
—Zephyr Teachout, Foreign Affairs, 8 Dec. 2020
Verb
In addition to its cover-up capabilities, the formula is enriched with nourishing ingredients such as allantoin, bakuchiol, and niacinamide that actually target dark spots and, with time (and regular wear), can brighten them while clarifying the complexion.
—Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 6 Nov. 2025
Modern shutdowns date back to 1980, when the attorney general issued legal guidance clarifying that agencies could not spend without congressional approval.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
The issue of faith and LGBTQ+ issues became part of the mayoral and council campaigns, with both candidates clarifying their views to voters.
—Niraj Warikoo, Freep.com, 5 Nov. 2025
The county's chief judge has been working for six months on a formal policy clarifying the extent of federal authority in local courtrooms.
—David Clarey, jsonline.com, 4 Nov. 2025
The former Fox News personality blasted Curtis for clarifying a set of comments regarding the conservative activist's killing on Wednesday's episode of The Megyn Kelly Show.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
For David Martin, the outcome was upsetting but clarifying.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 30 Oct. 2025
Jamie Lee Curtis is clarifying her reaction to the killing of Charlie Kirk.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025
Thanks for clarifying, Michael.
—Megan Johnson, Architectural Digest, 23 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clarifying
Adjective
-
The ultra-cinematic heroics feel too large and dazzling for the material, the classic movie tropes too formulaic, and the illuminating effect of all of it is more mechanical than organic.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Dec. 2025
-
Molly’s world comes to life in performances from Rob Delaney, Robby Hoffman, Esco Jouléy, Paula Pell, and David Rasche, who turn a show that could come off as cramped and maudlin into a story that feels expansive, joyful, illuminating.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
1 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
But simply consuming information isn’t enough; the crucial step is filtering it through her unique lens.—
Robert Lang,
Deadline,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Though unsafe to eat from city waters, oysters are among the most efficient purifying devices, each adult capable of filtering up to fifty gallons a day.—
Ben McGrath,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The leader of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), an organization that fights antisemitism, is explaining his group's decision to set up a special project to monitor Zohran Mamdani, the mayor-elect of New York City.—
NPR,
NPR,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Ukraine knows about the value of culture as soft power and spends a lot of money explaining to the world what’s going on in their country.—
Annika Pham,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The BoE's high-level system-wide explanatory scenario, which is expected to take between nine and 12 months, will engage with a number of private market firms.—
Hugh Leask,
CNBC,
24 Oct. 2025
-
The Associated Press receives support from Charles Schwab Foundation for educational and explanatory reporting to improve financial literacy.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Researchers say MaybeRobot's development has now stabilized, allowing the hackers to focus on refining NoRobot's stealth.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
7 Nov. 2025
-
What Happens Next The CHSRA plans to consult with property owners in Kern County and continue refining its design with the goal of reducing costs and impacts before any construction changes move forward.—
Daniel Orton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Wisteria is a light, calming shade of purple that feels fitting for illustrating any garden.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The Jayhawks would go onto win 38-21, with that particular drive illustrating the dominance of Kansas’ ground game Saturday.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
1 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
While heavy crude oil is what is predominantly being drilled for today, its viscous consistency and high levels of metals and sulfur mean extracting and refining this product is significantly more costly than its light crude counterpart.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
5 Jan. 2026
-
To achieve the effect of Alma extracting the worm from Elvira’s mouth, Foldberg and his team created several silicone worm pieces and then fed them through a contraption attached to the side of Myren’s face.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
23 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
One do-it-yourselfer demonstrating step-by-step how to rewire an electrical outlet via a TikTok video replaces thousands of dads and grandpas who could do the same thing.—
Nolan Finley The Detroit News,
Arkansas Online,
8 Jan. 2026
-
In the videos, opposing factions demonstrating across the country rallied around chants in support of and opposition to the Iranian government.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clarifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clarifying. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share