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 canal connected increasingly specialized regions in the early US, explains historian Roger Ransom.
—
JSTOR Daily, 26 Oct. 2025
The fact that only 24 examples of the Torpedo exist—each with distinctive hull colors, fabrics, and leathers—explains the brand’s heirloom appeal.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 26 Oct. 2025
Which explains some of the comprehensive re-structuring of this summer.
—Aaron Tolentino, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
That explains why the S&P 500 and Nasdaq are up 15% and 20%, respectively, reaching record highs on Friday, even as the government shutdown continues to cause economic angst.
—Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 25 Oct. 2025
In the broadest terms, this phenomenon explains the current shutdown.
—Allison Schrager, Boston Herald, 25 Oct. 2025
Tiffany explains that Samantha and her partner, Austin, were expecting a baby, so Ally didn't question why they would be getting engaged.
—Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
Star Andrew Garfield explains why the characters make things worse for themselves.
—Gerrad Hall, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Oct. 2025
That explains what people are saying about him, at least.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 19 Oct. 2025
JSTOR Daily, 26 Oct. 2025
The fact that only 24 examples of the Torpedo exist—each with distinctive hull colors, fabrics, and leathers—explains the brand’s heirloom appeal.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 26 Oct. 2025
Which explains some of the comprehensive re-structuring of this summer.
—Aaron Tolentino, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
That explains why the S&P 500 and Nasdaq are up 15% and 20%, respectively, reaching record highs on Friday, even as the government shutdown continues to cause economic angst.
—Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 25 Oct. 2025
In the broadest terms, this phenomenon explains the current shutdown.
—Allison Schrager, Boston Herald, 25 Oct. 2025
Tiffany explains that Samantha and her partner, Austin, were expecting a baby, so Ally didn't question why they would be getting engaged.
—Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
Star Andrew Garfield explains why the characters make things worse for themselves.
—Gerrad Hall, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Oct. 2025
That explains what people are saying about him, at least.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 19 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explains
Verb
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The anecdote also illustrates a leadership philosophy Weeks has maintained throughout his tenure.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Pacific transit route The family’s experience illustrates how Ecuador has become a critical route in the cocaine trade.—
David Culver,
CNN Money,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Rethinking Schools’ text justifies much of the Black Panther Party’s mission, despite its members’ open calls for violent revolution against the United States and their many armed, and occasionally deadly, confrontations with law enforcement and rival activists.—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
21 Oct. 2025
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The church must name abuse as sin and reject any misuse of Scripture that justifies endurance in violence.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The announcement clarifies Bordeaux's return to active wrestling following her WWE exit.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Proposition 411 clarifies the city manager’s role.—
Maritza Dominguez,
AZCentral.com,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Chenhao Hu, a doctoral student at Penn Engineering and the study’s first author, said the coral’s skeleton demonstrates how nature can create materials with remarkable adaptability, which could inspire new technologies for human use.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Oct. 2025
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Mercedez is an outstanding student who demonstrates strong academic dedication alongside her extracurricular commitments.—
Erick Trevino,
AZCentral.com,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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That simplifies the design but requires the ship to lug the extra weight of all of its fuel down and back.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
24 Oct. 2025
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Both systems share the same software architecture, training setup, and sustainment infrastructure, which simplifies integration and lowers operational costs.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Starting in November, the Festival of Trees illuminates the space with a forest of evergreens, each individually decorated by local contributors.—
Symiah Dorsey,
Southern Living,
24 Oct. 2025
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Scorpio season illuminates the balance of power and depth in your closest connections.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Explains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explains. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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