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
But as Lilly explains to Ronnie, telling the truth now won’t do anything to absolve Hank — everyone already thinks Lilly is crazy.
—
Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2025
At the train station when Kelley is about to depart, Howie explains his backstory to keep Kelley from leaving.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 9 Nov. 2025
Film production dwindled in Culver City around the same time, Avila explains.
—Oren Peleg, HollywoodReporter, 9 Nov. 2025
As Bryant explains, ageing stars can efficiently engulf their close-orbiting planets due to a gravitational tug-of-war called tidal interaction.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2025
Hutches The hutch will be an integral piece of furniture in next year's dining rooms, explains Lauren Saab, the founder of Saab Studios in Dallas, Texas.
—Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 7 Nov. 2025
During their absence, settlers sent cows to graze on their olive trees, Umm Shukry’s son Shukry Shehadeh, explains.
—Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
Wang explains this approach is necessary because TAICCA is focused on building a Taiwanese content industry, rather than supporting Taiwanese culture or soft power, which is more the remit of the Ministry of Culture.
—Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 7 Nov. 2025
Anne Irfan explains how the 1956 Israeli occupation of Gaza informs the present and future.
—Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2025
At the train station when Kelley is about to depart, Howie explains his backstory to keep Kelley from leaving.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 9 Nov. 2025
Film production dwindled in Culver City around the same time, Avila explains.
—Oren Peleg, HollywoodReporter, 9 Nov. 2025
As Bryant explains, ageing stars can efficiently engulf their close-orbiting planets due to a gravitational tug-of-war called tidal interaction.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2025
Hutches The hutch will be an integral piece of furniture in next year's dining rooms, explains Lauren Saab, the founder of Saab Studios in Dallas, Texas.
—Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 7 Nov. 2025
During their absence, settlers sent cows to graze on their olive trees, Umm Shukry’s son Shukry Shehadeh, explains.
—Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
Wang explains this approach is necessary because TAICCA is focused on building a Taiwanese content industry, rather than supporting Taiwanese culture or soft power, which is more the remit of the Ministry of Culture.
—Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 7 Nov. 2025
Anne Irfan explains how the 1956 Israeli occupation of Gaza informs the present and future.
—Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explains
Verb
-
The work accomplished at Silent Swarm 2025, along with technology such as the TEEMS device, illustrates how the company is architecting the advantage for today’s performance and tomorrow’s success along the tactical edge.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Nov. 2025
-
In a novel that is so alert to where climate change is leading the world, a narrative frame that illustrates migration as linear and largely redemptive feels anachronistic.—
Tope Folarin,
The Atlantic,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
He is set to make $19 million next year, which is far more than his production last year justifies.—
Aaliyan Mohammed,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
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Others think that the environmental and public health cost of fossil fuels justifies pushing for a new path forward — like a heavy investment into battery technology.—
Sophie Hartley,
IndyStar,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Liu clarifies that despite being published under a Japanese pseudonym, Terao Tetsuya, the author is Taiwanese.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Proposition 410 asked voters to ratify language that clarifies language on mayoral term limits.—
Elena Santa Cruz,
AZCentral.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
No wonder, then, that voters cling to the fantasy of the self-effacing candidate—the kind who demonstrates his worthiness of the office by not wanting it at all.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
11 Nov. 2025
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The leadership, spearheaded by Seth, consistently demonstrates a commitment to doing what’s right for the consumer, which speaks volumes about their integrity and dedication.—
Jennie Bell,
Footwear News,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
That simplifies the design but requires the ship to lug the extra weight of all of its fuel down and back.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Both systems share the same software architecture, training setup, and sustainment infrastructure, which simplifies integration and lowers operational costs.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Amidst the planetary changes this week, a Supermoon illuminates the sky on November 5.—
Lisa Stardust,
Refinery29,
4 Nov. 2025
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Some refrigerators have a cleaning button that illuminates to remind you.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Explains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explains. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
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