1
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
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Recent Examples of explaining
Jacqueline Ferrara, a Garland Police Department forensic biology and DNA analyst, testified remotely, explaining how evidence in this case was collected and tested at a Texas Department of Public Safety crime lab in early 2023.
—
Lauren Crawford, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026
While inside the bank, Connie secretly begged for help by writing a note explaining the situation and giving it to the bank teller.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 14 Apr. 2026
In explaining its move, the regulator acknowledged a long-standing complaint from researchers who have argued that without access to specific data, trial results cannot be easily duplicated, which inhibits greater understanding of how medicines might work.
—Ed Silverman, STAT, 14 Apr. 2026
They weren’t provided with arrest warrants or any paperwork explaining why they were being apprehended.
—Sarah Stillman, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
Reports of the court's concern were cited by privacy advocates and some congressional aides as a reason Congress should not reauthorize the law without changes and without the administration explaining the querying filter issue.
—Arkansas Online, 12 Apr. 2026
Duncan is haunted by the suicide of his college roommate turned business partner five years earlier, which goes a long way toward explaining his perpetual anxiety and aggrievement despite being rich enough to retire.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 12 Apr. 2026
So the two simplest logical paths for explaining neutrino mass led to the same place.
—Quanta Magazine, 8 Apr. 2026
In these three hours, Euphoria is mostly just reassembling the board, explaining everyone’s lingering connections and building up to Nate and Cassie’s wedding.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2026
Lauren Crawford, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026
While inside the bank, Connie secretly begged for help by writing a note explaining the situation and giving it to the bank teller.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 14 Apr. 2026
In explaining its move, the regulator acknowledged a long-standing complaint from researchers who have argued that without access to specific data, trial results cannot be easily duplicated, which inhibits greater understanding of how medicines might work.
—Ed Silverman, STAT, 14 Apr. 2026
They weren’t provided with arrest warrants or any paperwork explaining why they were being apprehended.
—Sarah Stillman, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
Reports of the court's concern were cited by privacy advocates and some congressional aides as a reason Congress should not reauthorize the law without changes and without the administration explaining the querying filter issue.
—Arkansas Online, 12 Apr. 2026
Duncan is haunted by the suicide of his college roommate turned business partner five years earlier, which goes a long way toward explaining his perpetual anxiety and aggrievement despite being rich enough to retire.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 12 Apr. 2026
So the two simplest logical paths for explaining neutrino mass led to the same place.
—Quanta Magazine, 8 Apr. 2026
In these three hours, Euphoria is mostly just reassembling the board, explaining everyone’s lingering connections and building up to Nate and Cassie’s wedding.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explaining
Verb
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Shoemaker said the forecast could be drier come Tuesday, clarifying that road conditions depend on Caltrans closure decisions.—
Corey Schmidt,
Sacbee.com,
11 Apr. 2026
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These patients are less likely to ask clarifying questions, more likely to misinterpret discharge instructions, and more likely to present later and sicker.—
Torie Bosch,
STAT,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Consistently, independent polls showed the opposition with a sizable lead, but Western diplomats in Budapest cautioned me not to underestimate Orbán’s ability to mobilize voters at the last moment, or to manufacture circumstances justifying a state of emergency.—
Isaac Stanley-Becker,
The Atlantic,
12 Apr. 2026
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In the meantime, Varsity faces a Thursday deadline to submit arguments justifying why, at its insistence, a bulk of the docket to date has been filed under seal.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Adapted from Antonio Scurati’s novel, the series delves into the darker aspects of Mussolini’s character, illustrating how his toxic masculinity and exploitation of fear led to his ascent, while inviting viewers to reflect on the broader implications of his story in today’s political landscape.—
Hilary Lewis,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Apr. 2026
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Crucially, the show’s histrionic extravagance had a purpose in illustrating the life-or-death stakes of youthful emotion.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Instead of obsessively over-rationalizing or avoiding, try making friends with that feeling.—
Goth Shakira
Contributing,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
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While rationalizing deception is easy to do, developing the virtue of truthfulness is not.—
Katherine Moses,
The Conversation,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Throughout her career, Chinese artist Cao Fei has explored every aspect of our world, demonstrating great versatility and insight in her use of a broad range of technologies and languages.—
Miuccia Prada,
Time,
15 Apr. 2026
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At least six other Department of Aviation workers were investigated for spending hours idling on the job, demonstrating incompetence, stealing city property, and lying during the investigation.—
Chris Tye,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Only Murders in the Building star previously addressed speculation about changes in her appearance and mannerisms, attributing the differences to her ongoing battle with lupus and her bipolar disorder diagnosis.—
Chanel Vargas,
InStyle,
2 Apr. 2026
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The petition cited recently enacted or attempted men’s sports program cuts at California Baptist, East Tennessee State and Clemson, attributing them squarely to the policy.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This often meant using classical design principles like restraint, order and geometric harmony, and adapting them by either simplifying the elements or using locally available materials instead of the expensive marble and other stones favored by the ancients.—
Kevin D. Murphy,
The Conversation,
10 Apr. 2026
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Devs can also cover users’ transaction fees thanks to gas sponsorship via Privy, simplifying onboarding and reducing friction for new users.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This excitement could be explained by the novelty of photos from space, but these images also distinguish themselves as products of astronauts experiencing these sights and interpreting them through their photographs.—
Christye Sisson,
The Conversation,
13 Apr. 2026
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The robots are also capable of identifying objects, detecting motion, interpreting emotional cues, and responding accordingly.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Explaining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explaining. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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