Synonym Chooser

How does the verb explain contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of explain are elucidate, explicate, expound, and interpret. While all these words mean "to make something clear or understandable," explain implies a making plain or intelligible what is not immediately obvious or entirely known.

explain the rules

In what contexts can elucidate take the place of explain?

While in some cases nearly identical to explain, elucidate stresses the throwing of light upon as by offering details or motives previously unclear or only implicit.

elucidate an obscure passage

When is it sensible to use explicate instead of explain?

The words explicate and explain can be used in similar contexts, but explicate adds the idea of a developed or detailed analysis.

explicate a poem

When is expound a more appropriate choice than explain?

Although the words expound and explain have much in common, expound implies a careful often elaborate explanation.

expounding a scientific theory

How are the words interpret and explain related?

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 explain In an Instagram post featuring photos of her, her husband Steven Oleksy, and their twins Oliver and Molly, Brooke explained her reasoning for missing the funeral. Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 6 Aug. 2025 The grandmother explained that the family had called first responders after her daughter had taken the her granddaughter’s phone away, and the child became emotionally upset. Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 6 Aug. 2025 Acknowledge employee fears openly and explain how AI will support, not replace, their work. Sharon Wu, USA Today, 5 Aug. 2025 However, Shay explained there was a caveat in waiting out her pregnancy. Kayla Grant, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for explain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explain
Verb
  • Earlier this year, Nipsey Hussle’s brother, Blacc Sam, revealed that his first posthumous album is set to be released this year, and clarified that only certain music from the slain artist would ever see the light of day.
    DeMicia Inman, VIBE.com, 6 Aug. 2025
  • The researchers did not clarify whether breaking down brain glycogen could stop human brain cells from dying, Okun noted.
    Shiv Sudhakar, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Invoking national security to justify private sector economic development is a tired cliché.
    Kevin Green, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Aug. 2025
  • But even that impressive performance doesn’t justify the stock’s current valuation.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • But the past 11 games have illustrated how the Padres are at their best.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Aug. 2025
  • Radiohead’s performance on charts all around the world throughout 2025 illustrates the power of virality in today’s music industry.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Had Faas grown to rationalize occasionally changing the credit on photographs over nearly a decade of war?
    Gary Knight, Rolling Stone, 1 Aug. 2025
  • That situation will have to be rationalized and given some streetside real estate.
    Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 29 July 2025
Verb
  • Trump generally doesn’t hesitate to threaten other countries, as demonstrated by his tariff war.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025
  • Hims & Hers stock (NASDAQ: HIMS) fell approximately 13% in after-hours trading following Q2 results that demonstrated strong growth but did not meet revenue forecasts.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • What Michael and the team have done for the tour is condense that and simplify so there is more time for improv and the explanation is more direct.
    Rob Wieland, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
  • Ford's plan centers on dramatically simplifying the vehicle and breaking it up into three separate pieces, which are built in parallel and then combined together.
    Camila Domonoske, NPR, 11 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Haggard has noted that Baird's congressional mailers have included images of his son, Beau, and have increasingly left off his first name ― a move Haggard has interpreted publicly as Baird subtly introducing his son as a successor to his seat.
    Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 13 Aug. 2025
  • The brain activates visuospatial processing zones and interprets content as physically present.
    Olya Osokina, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Explain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explain. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on explain

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