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 Most materials that are used to build homes in the U.S. are imported, Perotti explained. Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 19 June 2025 Lee explains his perspective, as a sportswriter and as a fan, that teams and leagues are taking advantage of supporters. Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 19 June 2025 Furthermore these efforts should also find ways to explain the costs of AI use from an environmental perspective. Ron Schmelzer, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025 Nivola in Lochlan’s season-ending near-death experience and Koch in a one-take episode in which Erik explains to his attorney the abuse within the Menendez household. Daniel D'addario, Variety, 7 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for explain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explain
Verb
  • Earlier this week, Al Hilal’s CEO Esteve Calzada clarified that Inzaghi had not signed before Inter played Paris Saint-Germain in Munich.
    James Horncastle, New York Times, 19 June 2025
  • The company clarified that prices for parties of five or more will have an additional upcharge.
    Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 19 June 2025
Verb
  • This pattern suggests potential sensitivity to macroeconomic shocks. LLY Valuation Sensitivity: The company’s elevated multiple, while justified by growth prospects, creates vulnerability to any disappointment in execution or market sentiment shifts.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
  • In the show’s April 15 premiere, Jax strives to justify his actions in a confessional interview.
    Kate Aurthur, Variety, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • Anyway, this serves to illustrate how, at the helm, Murati had to address Musk’s input.
    John Werner, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
  • Brooks illustrates this principle by pointing to hospital delivery robots designed to transport dirty dishes and linens.
    Gabriel Snyder, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • For each, the gallery is a stage set, its proportions rationalized by Goulds.
    Tom Teicholz, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
  • If preventing human extinction is the ultimate good, virtually any present sacrifice can and should be rationalized.
    John Kaag, The Atlantic, 28 May 2025
Verb
  • Your contrarian takes demonstrate independent thinking that can't be faked or prompted into existence.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
  • Some Social Security workers have demonstrated against the cuts at their offices.
    Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • This approach simplifies know-your-customer compliance but excludes borrowers who self-custody their assets on hardware wallets, which is a common security practice among crypto users.
    Becca Bratcher, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
  • The prosecution is just simplifying the charges for the jury to avoid confusion.
    Tracy Wright , Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • Scenes like this expose a widening gap between the one billion imaging studies clinicians will order annually and the shrinking radiology workforce available to interpret them.
    Yidi Xu, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
  • The chapter’s first section responds to a tendency in Harry Potter studies to interpret the series as if its version of magic portrays a profoundly different and salutary alternative to Muggle technology.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Explain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explain. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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