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
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
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
Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026
There are bills for that, the Count Every Vote Act (CEVA), A4307 and S417, clarifying the definition of a margin of victory required for a recount.
—Phyllis Tashlik, New York Daily News, 15 Apr. 2026
The bill, often referred to as market structure legislation, aims to split oversight of the crypto market between two financial regulators by clarifying when digital assets are considered securities or commodities.
—Julia Shapero, The Hill, 15 Apr. 2026
The company is also clarifying that no users' physical addresses were accessed, suggesting address information for lodgings was compromised instead.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 13 Apr. 2026
Afterward, Moore issued three directives clarifying that state and local agencies may still cooperate with ICE on criminal matters and immigration detainers.
—Jeff Barker, Baltimore Sun, 13 Apr. 2026
Shoemaker said the forecast could be drier come Tuesday, clarifying that road conditions depend on Caltrans closure decisions.
—Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 11 Apr. 2026
These patients are less likely to ask clarifying questions, more likely to misinterpret discharge instructions, and more likely to present later and sicker.
—Torie Bosch, STAT, 11 Apr. 2026
Frazee tried to highlight this distinction in an early March thread, clarifying how Bluesky developers use AI behind the scenes.
—ArsTechnica, 7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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
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
Through her precise storytelling, Hao offers a clarifying perspective amid the AI mania and lays bare the ravenous, profit-seeking egos driving it.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026
There are bills for that, the Count Every Vote Act (CEVA), A4307 and S417, clarifying the definition of a margin of victory required for a recount.
—Phyllis Tashlik, New York Daily News, 15 Apr. 2026
The bill, often referred to as market structure legislation, aims to split oversight of the crypto market between two financial regulators by clarifying when digital assets are considered securities or commodities.
—Julia Shapero, The Hill, 15 Apr. 2026
The company is also clarifying that no users' physical addresses were accessed, suggesting address information for lodgings was compromised instead.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 13 Apr. 2026
Afterward, Moore issued three directives clarifying that state and local agencies may still cooperate with ICE on criminal matters and immigration detainers.
—Jeff Barker, Baltimore Sun, 13 Apr. 2026
Shoemaker said the forecast could be drier come Tuesday, clarifying that road conditions depend on Caltrans closure decisions.
—Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 11 Apr. 2026
These patients are less likely to ask clarifying questions, more likely to misinterpret discharge instructions, and more likely to present later and sicker.
—Torie Bosch, STAT, 11 Apr. 2026
Frazee tried to highlight this distinction in an early March thread, clarifying how Bluesky developers use AI behind the scenes.
—ArsTechnica, 7 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clarifying
Adjective
-
In this debut that centers Native Hawaiian mythology against contemporary issues, history and the present come together in illuminating ways.—
Emma Alpern,
Vulture,
8 Apr. 2026
-
However, many statistics can be useful and illuminating.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
If they’re not changed often enough, clogs can prevent them from filtering air properly.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Results will start filtering in for the state Supreme Court race and local contests.—
Hope Karnopp,
jsonline.com,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Jacqueline Ferrara, a Garland Police Department forensic biology and DNA analyst, testified remotely, explaining how evidence in this case was collected and tested at a Texas Department of Public Safety crime lab in early 2023.—
Lauren Crawford,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
While inside the bank, Connie secretly begged for help by writing a note explaining the situation and giving it to the bank teller.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The Associated Press receives support from Charles Schwab Foundation for educational and explanatory reporting to improve financial literacy.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The final selection included 59 images presented in sequence—two per page—without captions or any explanatory text.—
Vanity Fair,
Vanity Fair,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This shift isn’t about abandoning discipline but refining it.—
Samuel Mueller,
Fortune,
12 Apr. 2026
-
The foundation states that winning teams are paired with professional mentors, supported in refining their budgets and project plans, and made eligible for grants of up to $1,000 to actually carry out their ideas.—
Ethan Stone,
Miami Herald,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Research highlights that each additional year of schooling increases an individual’s earnings by roughly 10% annually, illustrating how education compounds economic opportunity over time rather than delivering a one-time benefit.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Adapted from Antonio Scurati’s novel, the series delves into the darker aspects of Mussolini’s character, illustrating how his toxic masculinity and exploitation of fear led to his ascent, while inviting viewers to reflect on the broader implications of his story in today’s political landscape.—
Hilary Lewis,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Phalaborwa project aims to start extracting rare earths from the two huge dunes in 2028.—
Michelle Gumede,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Authorities arrested Atajurt’s founder Serikzhan Bilash in 2019, releasing him into exile after extracting a promise not to engage in political activities.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Throughout her career, Chinese artist Cao Fei has explored every aspect of our world, demonstrating great versatility and insight in her use of a broad range of technologies and languages.—
Miuccia Prada,
Time,
15 Apr. 2026
-
At least six other Department of Aviation workers were investigated for spending hours idling on the job, demonstrating incompetence, stealing city property, and lying during the investigation.—
Chris Tye,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clarifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clarifying. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
