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 This sterile male technique, previously explained to Newsweek by Texas A&M Professor Phillip Kaufman, works because female screwworm flies mate only once—flooding areas with sterile males prevents successful reproduction. Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025 To celebrate its centenary, The New Yorker invited fiction writers to contribute stories inspired by works from the archive, then to explain why those works inspired them. Zadie Smith, New Yorker, 30 June 2025 Launched by the Match Group in 2022, Stir is made just for single parents—so there’s no need to explain your schedule, priorities, or why time is limited. Malia Griggs, Glamour, 30 June 2025 Recalling the incident, Nelly explained that Ashanti encouraged him to say something to 50 at an event. Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 30 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for explain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explain
Verb
  • Her communications director later clarified on X that Gillibrand had misspoken.
    Rebecca Schneid, Time, 30 June 2025
  • The new law might not clarify what teachers can display.
    Emma Epperly, Idaho Statesman, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • In our opinion, this favorable trend justifies an upward revision of its valuation multiple.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • In recent weeks, the Trump administration has used constitutional maneuvers invented to enforce the Fugitive Slave Act to justify using troops to round up immigrants.
    Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 28 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
  • An anecdote illustrates this trend: a freelance graphic designer once lost hours to a phishing link masquerading as a payment request.
    Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • The group again tries to rationalize the morality of killing the baby.
    Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 27 June 2025
  • Walking the Talk as a Role Model Too many leaders assume organizational rules don't apply to them, creating double standards and rationalizing inappropriate behavior.
    Joseph Folkman, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • The 24-year-old can also unleash a bullet with her left foot, as demonstrated by her screamer against Wales in 2021, her first goal for France.
    Michael Cox, New York Times, 30 June 2025
  • These moves demonstrate Constellation’s ability to adapt to evolving preferences while maintaining relevance across both traditional and emerging categories.
    Michael Khouw, CNBC, 30 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
  • 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
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Explain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explain. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

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