1
as in to clarify
to make plain or understandable
a pamphlet that explains the medical procedure in language that any layperson can understand
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to justify
to give the reason for or cause of
can you explain your very odd behavior at the wedding reception?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of explain
This may help explain why Trump’s latest attacks on the network, for all their apparent explosivity, are nonetheless carefully calibrated.
—
Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 2 May 2025
Publisher Rockstar Games, a division of Take Two Interactive, explained in a statement to customers that the longer timeline will allow for a better final product.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 2 May 2025
This is where cryopreservation comes in, explains seed- and cryobiologist Manuela Nagel of the Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research, co-author of an article on cryopreservation in the 2024 Annual Review of Plant Biology.
—Katarina Zimmer, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 May 2025
The reason for the independence, the Brookings Institution explains, is that politicians tend to want lower interest rates because lower rates stimulate the economy.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for explain
Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 2 May 2025
Publisher Rockstar Games, a division of Take Two Interactive, explained in a statement to customers that the longer timeline will allow for a better final product.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 2 May 2025
This is where cryopreservation comes in, explains seed- and cryobiologist Manuela Nagel of the Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research, co-author of an article on cryopreservation in the 2024 Annual Review of Plant Biology.
—Katarina Zimmer, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 May 2025
The reason for the independence, the Brookings Institution explains, is that politicians tend to want lower interest rates because lower rates stimulate the economy.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for explain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explain
Verb
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In her comments, the mom of four clarified why her son was wearing the boot.—
Hannah Sacks,
People.com,
2 May 2025
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For potential or seasoned investors, these resources can help clarify whether a property, private loan, or even a start-up investment is suitable for an IRA. Risks and Rewards With great flexibility comes greater responsibility.—
Tyler Shepherd,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
Verb
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Reports indicate that some Republican senators have been weighing whether eliminating the California rules justifies breaking that norm.—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
1 May 2025
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The Guardians didn’t feel Gimenez offered enough offense to justify his long-term contract, which becomes increasingly expensive.—
Bernie Pleskoff,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
Verb
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The series always made time for Midge’s (Rachel Brosnahan) inner life and personal relationships, illustrating how those factors affected her stage performance and overall life trajectory.—
Proma Khosla,
IndieWire,
27 Apr. 2025
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Use case studies and stories to illustrate your expertise, building social proof and authority.—
Amanda Miller Littlejohn,
Forbes.com,
27 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Beneath their air of irreproachable authority, Jung and Freud — both brilliantly played, the first with subtlety, the other with theatrical relish — wrestle with petty grievances and insecurities, while the former stubbornly rationalizes his affair with onetime patient Spielrein.—
A.A. Dowd,
Vulture,
28 Apr. 2025
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Aboard Air Force One on Sunday, President Trump rationalized the effect his chaotic tariff talk was having on global stockmarkets.—
Christopher Helman,
Forbes.com,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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In her ruling, the judge stated that the ACLU of Idaho had demonstrated a strong likelihood of success on several key claims, including that the new offenses established by the law may violate the U.S. Constitution's due process clause.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2025
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So the price action in the handle has demonstrated weaker momentum.—
David Keller,
CNBC,
1 May 2025
Verb
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The operation of Theranos and her role in it was extremely complicated and proving other forms of white collar crime could have been difficult for a jury to understand, but wire fraud simplifies the process.—
Steve Weisman,
Forbes.com,
26 Apr. 2025
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Pope Francis made changes to simplify the rules around papal funerals last year, opting to use only one wooden coffin instead of three.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Over time, these small moments of silence and avoidance replace honest conversation, leaving both partners to interpret each other’s emotions and needs without asking directly.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
26 Apr. 2025
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And finally, within my inner ear, another membrane vibrates in response and sends signals to my brain, which interprets them as music.—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
25 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Explain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explain. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
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