1
as in illustrates
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 justifies
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 explains
The below-ground theme park, as historian Ashleigh Androsoff explains, offers tours purporting to tell two local stories.
—
JSTOR Daily, 20 Oct. 2025
Star Andrew Garfield explains why the characters make things worse for themselves.
—Gerrad Hall, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Oct. 2025
That explains what people are saying about him, at least.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 19 Oct. 2025
In Warhead, Wright explains how armed conflict impacts every part of our brain, from the instinctive reflexes of our reptilian brainstem to the cognitive and metacognitive functions of the prefrontal cortex.
—Big Think, 18 Oct. 2025
Faux Finishes and Materials Artificial wood, marble, and stone—though more budget-friendly and convenient—are definitely on their way out too, explains interior designer Meredith McKenzie.
—Shivani Vyas, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Oct. 2025
Sesnek explains that this model is especially user-friendly and makes for quick curling.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 18 Oct. 2025
Coaches apparently get to cut the line, which explains why Cam Rising is near the front.
—Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Cuevas de Arom uses the vessels through the entire winemaking process, from fermentation through aging, which Mora explains provides a slower, more delicate evolution.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 12 Oct. 2025
JSTOR Daily, 20 Oct. 2025
Star Andrew Garfield explains why the characters make things worse for themselves.
—Gerrad Hall, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Oct. 2025
That explains what people are saying about him, at least.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 19 Oct. 2025
In Warhead, Wright explains how armed conflict impacts every part of our brain, from the instinctive reflexes of our reptilian brainstem to the cognitive and metacognitive functions of the prefrontal cortex.
—Big Think, 18 Oct. 2025
Faux Finishes and Materials Artificial wood, marble, and stone—though more budget-friendly and convenient—are definitely on their way out too, explains interior designer Meredith McKenzie.
—Shivani Vyas, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Oct. 2025
Sesnek explains that this model is especially user-friendly and makes for quick curling.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 18 Oct. 2025
Coaches apparently get to cut the line, which explains why Cam Rising is near the front.
—Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Cuevas de Arom uses the vessels through the entire winemaking process, from fermentation through aging, which Mora explains provides a slower, more delicate evolution.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 12 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explains
Verb
-
Gatsby simply couldn’t have existed without Long Island, and the prominence of the novel’s location was noted from the day of publication, as Anne Margaret Daniel illustrates in her article on the author and his relationship with the New Yorker magazine.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
18 Oct. 2025
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The footage illustrates the easy trust and solidarity among the various parents, who appeared to have a tacit agreement that the neighborhood more or less belonged to the kids.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This justifies higher volume assumptions for US producers leading to higher long-term EBITDA and FCF forecasts.—
Michael Bloom,
CNBC,
10 Oct. 2025
-
The Republican who ostensibly champions liberty but justifies authoritarian impulses from the White House.—
John H Bolthouse,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Proposition 411 clarifies the city manager’s role.—
Maritza Dominguez,
AZCentral.com,
4 Oct. 2025
-
The script never changed, Cregger clarifies.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The scene demonstrates Courtney’s capacious approach to metaphor.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Oct. 2025
-
The Sierra Club’s report demonstrates that state and federal desires to keep the coal industry afloat is reflected in local utility decision making.—
Sophie Hartley,
IndyStar,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
PageRank is more complicated than eigenvector centrality in part because links on the Internet are one-directional, whereas friendships in a social network are bidirectional, a symmetry that simplifies the math.—
Jack Murtagh,
Scientific American,
11 Oct. 2025
-
The upright positioning also simplifies maintenance by leaving walkable space between panel rows.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Lipan Point is especially beautiful at sunrise and sunset, when golden light illuminates the canyon walls.—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Oct. 2025
-
To reach that destination, trust is the North Star—one that illuminates how gen AI will make organizations, and their people, more successful.—
Erik Roth,
Fortune,
16 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Explains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explains. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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