Synonym Chooser

How does the verb elucidate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of elucidate are explain, explicate, expound, and interpret. While all these words mean "to make something clear or understandable," elucidate stresses the throwing of light upon as by offering details or motives previously unclear or only implicit.

elucidate an obscure passage

In what contexts can explain take the place of elucidate?

While the synonyms explain and elucidate are close in meaning, explain implies a making plain or intelligible what is not immediately obvious or entirely known.

explain the rules

When might explicate be a better fit than elucidate?

The meanings of explicate and elucidate largely overlap; however, explicate adds the idea of a developed or detailed analysis.

explicate a poem

When would expound be a good substitute for elucidate?

The words expound and elucidate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, expound implies a careful often elaborate explanation.

expounding a scientific theory

How are the words interpret and explain related as synonyms of elucidate?

Interpret adds to explain the need for imagination or sympathy or special knowledge in dealing with something.

interpreting a work of art

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 elucidate Still, the impressive power of the book club might have been better elucidated if details about its impact in other Eastern Bloc countries were brought into the story. Valorie Castellanos Clark, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2025 The physicist Paul Dirac coined both terms in a speech in 1945, naming the two particle kingdoms after physicists who helped elucidate their properties: Satyendra Nath Bose and Enrico Fermi. Matt Von Hippel, Quanta Magazine, 23 June 2025 Related Stories The president did not elucidate the reasoning for the 55-percent rate, which appears on its face to be a a 25-percent increase from the May agreement. Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 11 June 2025 This week has perhaps helped elucidate where Moscow truly stands, but also too Trump’s reluctance to cause Putin pain. Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 16 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for elucidate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elucidate
Verb
  • At each camp, the team leaves behind a small but powerful item, a red card that explains what to do during encounters with immigration officials.
    David Rodriguez Muñoz, Freep.com, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The powers that be explained to me that in the audiobook, there would be no easy way to identify the bees’ chapters, which were designated with italics in the printed version, unless the narrator’s voice changed from female to male.
    Elizabeth Bass Parman, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The last two years have been clarifying, and not only in unpleasant ways.
    Jack Sheehan September 4, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025
  • However, the cruise line did not confirm the identity of the individuals and did not clarify what caused the distress.
    Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Budding influencers have been warned to look after their health, after researchers illustrated what the average influencer might look like come the year 2050.
    Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
  • That could look like a tool or dashboard that illustrates where the AI is highly accurate or where human intervention might be needed.
    Marne Martin, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Watch Thelma on Hulu Kinds of Kindness Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, this 2024 dark dramedy anthology is told across three loosely interwoven chapters, each exploring characters who take extraordinary measures to demonstrate their love to someone else.
    Hannah Kerns, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The Royals demonstrated patience and diligently worked favorable counts before landing the knockout blow.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Elucidate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elucidate. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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