as in illuminating
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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
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Recent Examples of clarifying
Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 5 Apr. 2026
As the Virgo Moon arrives November 13 to 15, things get even more introspective, but in the best, most clarifying way.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 9 Nov. 2025
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
These compositions have surprising emotional impact and a clarifying depth.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 May 2024
David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 8 May 2026
Certain shampoos, like clarifying and non-moisturizing ones, are meant to be used once per week, while others can be used two to three times a week, depending on your hair and scalp.
—Aimee Simeon, Glamour, 7 May 2026
Ask one clarifying question today, then respond with intention so the conversation leads somewhere useful.
—Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026
At Judges’ Table itself, a winner isn’t immediately identified; instead, the judges ask the teams a few clarifying questions and share what takeout diners thought.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2026
Skeptics point out oral exams can be unsettling for students who are shy or have serious anxiety, but clarifying the format ahead of time and starting with softball questions can help, says Carolyn Aslan, who leads Cornell’s oral exam training.
—Jocelyn Gecker, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
According to Simpkins, the attorney for the BOE, the department will immediately implement several changes in response to the results of the audit — including clarifying the process for an appeal and notifying taxpayers of their rights and deadlines in a timely manner.
—Kansas City Star, 26 Apr. 2026
René Nezhoda shared an emotional Instagram video shortly after the news broke, clarifying that their on-screen rivalry never defined their real-life relationship.
—Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
Further clarifying questions from legislators and other interested parties are welcome.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Steps three and four explain when to switch between using clarifying shampoos, non-clarifying shampoos and medicated shampoos.
—Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 5 Apr. 2026
As the Virgo Moon arrives November 13 to 15, things get even more introspective, but in the best, most clarifying way.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 9 Nov. 2025
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
These compositions have surprising emotional impact and a clarifying depth.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 May 2024
Verb
In January, the FCC published guidelines clarifying how the equal time rule is enforced.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 8 May 2026
Certain shampoos, like clarifying and non-moisturizing ones, are meant to be used once per week, while others can be used two to three times a week, depending on your hair and scalp.
—Aimee Simeon, Glamour, 7 May 2026
Ask one clarifying question today, then respond with intention so the conversation leads somewhere useful.
—Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026
At Judges’ Table itself, a winner isn’t immediately identified; instead, the judges ask the teams a few clarifying questions and share what takeout diners thought.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2026
Skeptics point out oral exams can be unsettling for students who are shy or have serious anxiety, but clarifying the format ahead of time and starting with softball questions can help, says Carolyn Aslan, who leads Cornell’s oral exam training.
—Jocelyn Gecker, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
According to Simpkins, the attorney for the BOE, the department will immediately implement several changes in response to the results of the audit — including clarifying the process for an appeal and notifying taxpayers of their rights and deadlines in a timely manner.
—Kansas City Star, 26 Apr. 2026
René Nezhoda shared an emotional Instagram video shortly after the news broke, clarifying that their on-screen rivalry never defined their real-life relationship.
—Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
Further clarifying questions from legislators and other interested parties are welcome.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clarifying
Adjective
-
For Jay Li, a Chinese national who arrived in the first, 2017 class after attending the University of Rochester and working for the NBA in New York, a sojourn to Suzhou in Eastern China near Shanghai was especially illuminating.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
2 May 2026
-
After all, this month energizes your fifth house of creativity, romance and self-expression in a way that feels both exciting and illuminating.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
The Upper Mokelumne watershed plays a major role in storing and filtering water for Northern California communities.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
7 May 2026
-
But for researchers, Young said, the most important moment will be pivoting from looking at individual features to filtering those views through the top 10 science priorities for the mission.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
Gianni Infantino tried to defend FIFA’s World Cup ticket prices by explaining American sports to Americans.—
Dan Zaksheske OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
6 May 2026
-
Berry later apologized by email to Crocker, Cal-OSHA’s Sacramento District Manager, explaining that an arson and bomb investigator for Cal Fire, Gershom Slonim, had told Voller not to grant the interview.—
Joe Rubin,
Sacbee.com,
6 May 2026
Adjective
-
The San Francisco Chronicle received the award for explanatory reporting, which means work that makes a complex topic comprehensible to everyday readers and viewers.—
Jennifer Peltz,
Twin Cities,
4 May 2026
-
The award for explanatory reporting went to the San Francisco Chronicle for coverage that showed how insurance companies use algorithms to systematically undervalue properties.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
Closing simulation gaps Instead of relying entirely on physical training, robots can now learn complex tasks virtually before refining those skills in real environments.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
7 May 2026
-
That said, Nissan has done a commendable job refining the ride quality.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
European officials had welcomed Ukraine's unilateral move as a goodwill gesture illustrating its readiness for a peace settlement.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 May 2026
-
Touching the Art also delves into erasure and gaslighting, illustrating the all-too-common silencing that occurs when a family member speaks up about violence or abuse.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
And a system that works for Californians instead of extracting from them.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
-
That lets the term be understood in a range of ways, whether a corporate-friendly approach to conservation, or a new way to talk about extracting marine resources, sustainably or otherwise.—
Natalie Sum Yue Chung,
Fortune,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
Federal prosecutors said while many people were peacefully demonstrating against immigration enforcement operations in Los Angeles County last summer, some people sought to use violence to obstruct, impede or injure officers conducting the enforcement operations.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
-
Facing this new urgency, NASA officials are eager to transition from demonstrating reliable lunar landers to delivering tangible infrastructure to the Moon’s surface.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clarifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clarifying. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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