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
Relevance
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
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
And as one dad recently shared on Reddit, the days of explaining things with talk of storks or other mythical tales are likely over.
—
Christian Dashiell, Parents, 7 June 2025
The smaller budget is in part explained by the expiration of one-time spending that came as part of 2023’s more than $70 billion budget that raised spending by nearly 40%.
—Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 7 June 2025
But in the late 19th century, Finkelstein explained, women who'd worked as nurses during the Civil War, even though not part of the Union or Confederate armies, lobbied for and won the right to be buried at Arlington.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 27 May 2025
As a condition of invitation to the festival, breweries must have a brewer in attendance to answer questions and explain their beers.
—Don Tse, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for explain
Christian Dashiell, Parents, 7 June 2025
The smaller budget is in part explained by the expiration of one-time spending that came as part of 2023’s more than $70 billion budget that raised spending by nearly 40%.
—Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 7 June 2025
But in the late 19th century, Finkelstein explained, women who'd worked as nurses during the Civil War, even though not part of the Union or Confederate armies, lobbied for and won the right to be buried at Arlington.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 27 May 2025
As a condition of invitation to the festival, breweries must have a brewer in attendance to answer questions and explain their beers.
—Don Tse, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for explain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explain
Verb
-
Use these prompts to clarify thinking, then test insights through actual leadership situations.—
Sarah Hernholm,
Forbes.com,
7 June 2025
-
Before she’s had time to clarify matters, a TV monitor in the bank lobby shows live news reportage, casting her as the alleged perpetrator of a hostage crisis the whole city is watching unfold.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
6 June 2025
Verb
-
But as cloud spend goes up, the need to justify cost efforts and demonstrate cost avoidance to execs will increase.—
Adrian Bridgwater,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
-
Nintendo is pointing to these changes to justify the console’s higher price, which is significantly above the $300 original.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
5 June 2025
Verb
-
Rahm, who took 35 putts, was asked if his score could illustrate how tough Oakmont was playing.—
Apress,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 June 2025
-
But this kind of analysis helps illustrate who benefits and who is hurt by a bill.—
Emily Badger,
New York Times,
13 June 2025
Verb
-
The amount of time and effort Erdogan has spent defending and rationalizing the criminal case against Imamoglu reveals his frustration and anxiety.—
Henri J. Barkey,
Foreign Affairs,
29 May 2025
-
Expect a material slowdown in employment, lower interest rates, and a lot of rationalizing about why the economy is being deliberately slowed to save it.—
Jon Markman,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
Verb
-
Marine Group officials wanted to demonstrate that converting similarly sized tugs from diesel to electric can be replicated by other companies, such as excursion boats and dinner cruises.—
Rob Nikolewski,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 June 2025
-
Of course, none of that would matter if the team had not demonstrated strong fan support and signed up those 10,000 season-ticket holders, which is around the same number the Warriors have in the same arena—albeit at a lower price.—
Matt Craig,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
Verb
-
Eligible children may face barriers to accessing Medicaid and CHIP coverage if the legislation blocks a rule that simplifies enrollment in those programs, according to the CBPP.—
Lorie Konish,
CNBC,
13 June 2025
-
For routine purchases, agentic commerce will focus on speed and convenience—using collaborative AI agents to simplify checkout and streamline fulfillment.—
Zornitza Stefanova,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2025
Verb
-
That concept of reframing the story has been at the center of Shawn’s work, which focuses on how to train the brain to interpret challenges as temporary, local, and controllable.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2025
-
The law looks at whether a reasonable person would interpret your words as a serious threat, not just exaggerated rhetoric.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Explain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explain. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share