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

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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 Here, Theron grew particularly impassioned, explaining that people try to oversimplify the situation. — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 21 Sep. 2026 After a short speech explaining my work, college students clapped for me. — Susan Daria Landino, Hartford Courant, 20 Sep. 2026 Sheeran addressed Macklemore’s departure with a statement explaining his shows aren’t political. — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 18 Sep. 2026 Then there’s a workout video, a salmon recipe, and a woman explaining how the labia minora disappear during menopause. — Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026 Customer behavior is often predictable, but many of the signals explaining that behavior exist outside the systems most organizations rely on. — Dr. Vasudeva Akula, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2026 Guitar Center shared a statement with EW explaining the situation. — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Sep. 2026 Aero Plantation’s roads are privately owned and maintained by the neighborhood, a distinction residents cited in explaining why outside traffic concerns them. — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 17 Sep. 2026 The Big Ten early Sunday morning released a statement and video footage explaining the call. — Austin Meek, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for explaining

Verb

On the west side of the property, which Fort Worth owns, there are tanks and other equipment for receiving, clarifying and treating wastewater before it is discharged into the nearby West Fork of the Trinity River.

— Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Sep. 2026
One Question Every Leader Should Ask Unexpected setbacks, whether personal, professional or organizational, have a way of clarifying what’s really important.

— Nathan Mitchell, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of clarifying

Verb

Transparency without context can breed distrust, because disclosing a number is not the same as justifying it, and both expectations and the law have moved on.

— Aniela Unguresan, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2026
That is why parents, and moms in particular, who historically have taken on most of the child care work and labor in the home—have trouble justifying rest.

— Parents, Parents, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of justifying

Verb

Schlager has contributed 18 of those recoveries, with his midfield partner James McAtee having made 19, illustrating their nascent partnership.

— Paul Taylor, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
The moonphase displayed is not created by partially obscuring an image of the Moon, but by the continuous movement of the two, illustrating the time elapsed between one new moon and the next full moon.

— Carol Besler, Robb Report, 15 Sep. 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

The findings therefore point specifically to an association with birthweight rather than demonstrating that rare earth exposure causes restricted fetal growth.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 21 Sep. 2026
Yet there remains a sense of remove in the production’s perpetual excitement at demonstrating just how well its own analog works.

— Sara Holdren, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of demonstrating

Verb

Torres confirmed to the Herald that the part-time positions are being eliminated, attributing it plainly to budget timing.

— Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2026
However, there are limits, and attributing knowledge, responsibility, or involvement in matters of this nature to me without presenting a single piece of evidence clearly crosses that line.

— Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of attributing

Verb

The City of Annapolis is considering changes to its zoning map as part of a multi-year initiative aimed at simplifying the city's zoning system, but some residents in the Historic District are pushing back.

— Caroline Foreback, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026
Their biggest competitive advantage, hitting director CJ Gillman said, was picking the low-hanging fruit and simplifying their messaging to players.

— Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of simplifying

Verb

However, Batygin advises that astronomers should be cautious in interpreting such findings.

— Micah Hanks, Space.com, 14 Sep. 2026
With generative AI, instead of locating a dashboard, adjusting filters and interpreting several charts, a business leader can increasingly ask a question in plain language.

— Somnath Banerjee, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026