EXPLAINING Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

explaining

verb

present participle of explain

as in clarifying

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in justifying

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 explaining Since publication of the New’s initial story, the NYC Transit has instituted a requirement that work orders without payable hours have a note explaining why. — Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 16 Aug. 2026 Sorvino previously teased the sequel back in 2024, explaining that the original writer, Robin Schiff, was finalizing the script at the time. — Meg Walters, InStyle, 15 Aug. 2026 Bronin spent the rest of the week after Tuesday night’s stonking win thanking supporters and explaining the formula for victory in his own national media appearances. — Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 15 Aug. 2026 CoreWeave's results this week strengthened that argument, with CEO Mike Intrator explaining that older Nvidia GPUs are remaining useful longer than some investors expected. — Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2026 Ford, who could not attend in person, sent a video explaining his excitement at being involved in the ride mechanics for the first time. — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 15 Aug. 2026 Pediatricians are explaining how dozens of studies involving thousands of children have concluded that vaccines have nothing to do with autism. — Andrew D. Racine, STAT, 14 Aug. 2026 Dunleavy sounded less like an NBA executive trying to maximize a generational talent and more like a car salesman explaining why the engine light is supposed to stay on. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026 As a whole, Sfeir said Orange County has shown strong job growth in the last few years, explaining its representation on the list of income risers. — Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for explaining

Verb

The city also installed new signs in parks clarifying the changes.

— Ashley Portillo, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
Organizations achieving meaningful value are redesigning workflows, establishing governance frameworks, investing in workforce readiness and clarifying accountability alongside technology deployment.

— Jayasri Ranganathan, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of clarifying

Verb

Some hailed McDonnell as an Anna Delvey-type scammer, justifying her brazen ripoff of faceless lenders by scoffing at the idea that society should feel sympathy for giant corporate entities.

— Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 11 Aug. 2026
The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is the most capable smartwatch in Samsung's lineup, justifying its premium price with massive upgrades in endurance, screen visibility, and ruggedness.

— Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of justifying

Verb

An average of recent polls shows Rogers is 1 point ahead of el Sayed three months away from the general election, illustrating an extremely narrow race.

— David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 16 Aug. 2026
Some surviving sections remain usable, illustrating the durability of construction adapted closely to the surrounding landscape.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of illustrating

Verb

The offense was bad Saturday, and there’s no spin or rationalizing the performance.

— Zach Berman, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Is there still unfinished business in rationalizing the excesses of the semiconductor surge, which formed the core of the momentum-stock frenzy?

— Michael Santoli, CNBC, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of rationalizing

Verb

Dern largely dominated the five-round co-main event, demonstrating superior skills throughout the contest.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
Top podcaster Alex Cooper’s beverage business is shutting down, demonstrating the challenges online creators often have in diversifying their work away from content.

— Ashley Carman, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of demonstrating

Verb

While not definitively attributing this to AI, researchers note the pattern's persistence despite controlling for other economic factors.

— Joe McKendrick, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Lucy Tobier Braun suggested potential legal challenges to his ability to extend the gas tax pause by attributing it to a new cause would be politically motivated.

— Lucy Tobier, IndyStar, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of attributing

Verb

AliExpress is also simplifying certain eligible refund claims by using tracking, order and seller information that is already available on the site.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 17 Aug. 2026
The article argues that improving healthcare isn't just about expanding services but crucially about simplifying navigation.

— Aimée K. Dailey, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of simplifying

Verb

If the first wave of longevity tech was about measuring the body, the next will be about interpreting it.

— Amy O’Brien, Vogue, 18 Aug. 2026
Basically, captioning provides access to words, while interpreting provides access to the message’s linguistic, cultural, emotional, and contextual meaning.

— Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026