EXPLAINED Synonyms: 89 Similar and Opposite Words

explained 1 of 2

adjective

as in confirmed

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explained

2 of 2

verb

past tense of explain

as in clarified

to make plain or understandable a pamphlet that explains the medical procedure in language that any layperson can understand

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in justified

to give the reason for or cause of can you explain your very odd behavior at the wedding reception?

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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 explained

Verb

These systems are exhibiting group behaviors that cannot be explained as a swarm. — Michael Morris, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026 In the lead-up to 2035, Hallmark explained the marque will focus on cars with ICE powertrains. — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 2 Oct. 2026 This divergence in labor market performance by gender can be partially explained by which industries are growing, according to Stahle. — Alex Harring,deena Zaidi, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026 There’s an entity that might be supernatural or might be something else, and the fear is never fully explained. — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026 Dutch officials have not publicly explained who requested that the flight be denied permission to land. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026 The rollout included distributing the new shoe across 5,000 doors, twice the average for a Nike basketball signature shoe, Hill explained. — Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2026 Toothaker explained that the project is still undergoing review by the city’s Development Review Committee, a process that can take several months. — Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 2 Oct. 2026 They each have been tasked with mining the IP of their sister film studios (which explained Goldberg’s oversight of PTVS) and have been main suppliers to their sibling streamers HBO Max and Paramount+, respectively. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for explained

Adjective

Harford County residents on alert The confirmed case inside an elementary school has some Harford County residents concerned about the presence of wildlife in the community.

— Ashley Paul, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026
The Ebola outbreak centered in the eastern Ituri province is the fastest-growing in the disease’s history and remains out of control with 5,713 confirmed cases, including 2,744 deaths, according to Congolese health authorities.

— ABC News, ABC News, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of confirmed

Verb

Bracing for a ‘wave of disputes’ Take-or-pay contracts have their origins in the energy sector, where long and capital-intensive production timelines justified a similar legal ultimatum.

— Tobias Burns, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2026
The investigation concluded that the actions by police were objectively reasonable and justified under state law.

— Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of justified

Adjective

Jackson says this is because he’s determined to focus people on the company’s success, rather than their own individual advancement.

— Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Indeed, this equation between precognition and determined occurrence, rehearsal and performance, exists in the mind as a matter of protocol.

— Sophie Landres, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of determined

Verb

The boomer’s reckoning Voeste grew up in Dortmund, the coal-and-steel city whose fate has long illustrated the dangers of clinging to an industrial past after its economics have changed.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026
This is well illustrated at Dia Beacon, where the sculpture Relatum (formerly System), 1969, sits near two paintings both titled With Winds, 1991.

— Barry Schwabsky, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of illustrated

Verb

Independent Leadership Council pollster Brett Loyd attributed Kiley’s increase to a larger number of voters in the district who have unfavorable views of both major political parties.

— Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 29 Sep. 2026
In an interview with Sportico last week, former Murphy aide Peter Mills attributed the failure of a more robust Senate opposition to coalescence against the PCSA in part to the past split between Murphy and Booker.

— Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of attributed

Adjective

In a way, the two very different brands –– one an established pillar of New York fashion famed for its ‘70s wrap dress, and the other a respected darling with prime promise — have a sort of big-little sister or kindred spirit association.

— Bianca Betancourt, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2026
In established markets, entrepreneurs build businesses inside an ecosystem.

— Thomas Despin, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of established

Verb

The researchers demonstrated tasks containing as many as 12 steps without providing additional demonstrations for those longer sequences.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026
In Lepecki’s account, the gesture again demonstrated that stillness in dance always vibrates with subtle motion.

— Sophie Landres, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of demonstrated

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“Explained.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explained. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of explained

adjective

verb

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