1
as in illustrates
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 justifies
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 explains
The brand grew out of Pacific Pharma (now part of Amorepacific), which explains its derm-minded approach.
—
Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 21 Mar. 2026
This is where the real magic will happen, the Navy explains.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 21 Mar. 2026
Humans were historically safer in groups, so the brain interprets isolation as a stressor, releasing cortisol that can lead to inflammation and illness, explains neuroscientist Ben Rein, author of Why Brains Need Friends.
—Holly Haber, Dallas Morning News, 20 Mar. 2026
In one of the novel’s most illuminating scenes, Emily explains her novel to her sisters, reaching for their worn copy of Paradise Lost to make her point.
—Literary Hub, 20 Mar. 2026
Ricardo Amper, founder and CEO of Incode Technologies, a digital identity verification and biometric authentication company, explains the reality.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 20 Mar. 2026
Medora Lee explains what this means for those with student loan debt.
—Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
As Fears points and explains, Izzo slings his arm around his shoulder.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 19 Mar. 2026
The skeeter strategy Zheng explains that the challenge with the approach was how to vaccinate the bats.
—Ari Daniel, NPR, 13 Mar. 2026
Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 21 Mar. 2026
This is where the real magic will happen, the Navy explains.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 21 Mar. 2026
Humans were historically safer in groups, so the brain interprets isolation as a stressor, releasing cortisol that can lead to inflammation and illness, explains neuroscientist Ben Rein, author of Why Brains Need Friends.
—Holly Haber, Dallas Morning News, 20 Mar. 2026
In one of the novel’s most illuminating scenes, Emily explains her novel to her sisters, reaching for their worn copy of Paradise Lost to make her point.
—Literary Hub, 20 Mar. 2026
Ricardo Amper, founder and CEO of Incode Technologies, a digital identity verification and biometric authentication company, explains the reality.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 20 Mar. 2026
Medora Lee explains what this means for those with student loan debt.
—Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
As Fears points and explains, Izzo slings his arm around his shoulder.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 19 Mar. 2026
The skeeter strategy Zheng explains that the challenge with the approach was how to vaccinate the bats.
—Ari Daniel, NPR, 13 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explains
Verb
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But nothing illustrates the need quite as clearly as seeing it firsthand.—
John Garrahan,
The Providence Journal,
19 Mar. 2026
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The story of how the Higgs particle was discovered illustrates this.—
Mariangela Lisanti,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This justifies using the average premium SVOD churn rate, even though Paramount+ has traditionally fallen short of it.—
Andrew Root,
Sportico.com,
27 Feb. 2026
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The constraint, Dolci says, is not audience demand – the performance of existing screens more than justifies expansion – but the availability of suitable sites.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Your 11th House of Social Networks brightens as the intuitive Moon conjoins studious Mercury, so thoughtful outreach strengthens bonds and clarifies shared goals, especially within teams and community circles.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
17 Mar. 2026
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The agreement clarifies that the court denied Morris’ motion to dismiss based on the ecclesiastical abstention doctrine.—
Alexa Shrake,
Dallas Morning News,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But as another voter rationalizes, the sheer size of the ballot will do more harm than good in the long run.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
12 Mar. 2026
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True crime, as a genre, rationalizes its exploitations—people’s tragedies and traumas, recast for popular consumption—by couching the sensationalism in considerations of justice.—
Megan Garber,
The Atlantic,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Overall, the property demonstrates a strong commitment to environmental responsibility, ethical labor standards, and cultural preservation.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 Mar. 2026
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Patience demonstrates care and prevents avoidable mix-ups.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This practice simplifies decision-making and reduces clutter.—
Sarah Lyon,
The Spruce,
16 Mar. 2026
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Building on the past decade of work by the sustainable farming organization, the next step expands OCA’s impact areas simplifies participation for brands and retailers and increases global supply through new partnerships.—
Jennifer Bringle,
Sourcing Journal,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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And perhaps this whole saga illuminates another reason why voters prefer to make young hunks wait until their late 30s, as Jordan did, to get their Oscar — to teach them humility.—
Nate Jones,
Vulture,
16 Mar. 2026
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On the stage, his presence illuminates.—
Heide Janssen,
Oc Register,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Explains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explains. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
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