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 As the affidavit explains, investigators ruled out fireworks, lightning, power lines and sunlight refraction. Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025 Haack explained to Fox News Digital. Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2025 The woman, who is five-months pregnant, explained on the community forum Mumsnet that she was left looking after her 4-year-old son at a wedding after her husband decided to get drunk at the wedding party. Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025 For decades, scientists couldn’t explain why. Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for explain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explain
Verb
  • Chavarro also said that HSPH leadership planned to clarify which of the school’s decisions are temporary, emergency measures versus actions that will guide the school long-term.
    Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Wicks also helped move the project forward by drafting legislation that clarified noise of future residents was not an issue that must be studied as part of a development’s environmental reviews.
    Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Ayton doesn’t have to reach the stardom that people once heaped upon him to justify the Lakers’ signing.
    Fred Katz, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • The president has cited protests outside Portland’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility to justify the callups of troops in the deep blue city.
    Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • To illustrate Renoir’s creative process, several of his major paintings will be reunited with and displayed alongside their related drawings.
    Jane Levere, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2025
  • The Yore duffel bag was exhibited in its pattern pieces, illustrating the 78 parts and 72 hours of craftsmanship required for each creation.
    Footwear News, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • This time, rationalizing the medical results was impossible.
    Megan Feringa, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Boards under pressure for growth routinely make the wrong choice—rationalizing the damage as a problem for their successors.
    Andrew King, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Barbabella wrote in April that after conducting a comprehensive diagnostic, laboratory testing, consultations with 14 specialty consultants, the president demonstrated no abnormalities aside from minor sun damage, recommending a colonoscopy in 2027.
    Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 11 Oct. 2025
  • These artifacts further suggest a ritual use, and the entire complex demonstrates the integration of cosmology, agriculture, and worship in ancient Mesopotamian societies.
    Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Another business owner requested simplifying licensing processes and making renewals easier.
    Mars King, Twin Cities, 17 Oct. 2025
  • The overall effect will be to simplify and enhance the driving experience.
    Sterling Anderson, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • However, the real ineptitude occurs a little earlier when River interprets a fight that Gimball has with Jaffrey’s chief of staff, Tyson Bowman (Abraham Popoola), as a physical attack and inserts himself into the scene, setting off this tragicomic series of events.
    Scott Tobias, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2025
  • The Duggan administration has interpreted state law to mean they can’t be repaid.
    Violet Ikonomova, Freep.com, 15 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Explain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explain. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.

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