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
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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
-
Satisfy gets a lot of flack for its prices, but this running jacket justifies the price tag thanks to its effective modularity and (extremely) lightweight design.—
Will Porter,
Outside,
4 Jan. 2026
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While there are legitimate concerns throughout the Midwest about future reliability due to new data centers and their substantial power consumption, there is no looming emergency that justifies the administration’s action here.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
But the resulting blow-by-blow account neither clarifies much about what was going through their minds nor brings them to life as characters.—
Rosa Lyster,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
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Legislators passed a law in 2024 that essentially specifies emotional support animals are not service dogs and clarifies that a dog must be trained or is being trained to perform tasks or work for a person with a disability is allowed.—
Andy Humbles,
Nashville Tennessean,
28 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Blending fun and function in consumer robotics Baby FuFu demonstrates a wider trend in consumer robotics, where usability and approachability take precedence over complexity.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Jan. 2026
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Duwaji demonstrates that style can be commentary, an extension of thought, and a deliberate act of agency.—
Daisy Maldonado,
InStyle,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Thousands of tax filers will also get an additional average benefit of $575 as the state expands and simplifies the child and dependent care tax credit, which helps cover the costs of child care.—
Alexa Herrera,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
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And that significantly lowers risk and simplifies their operations.—
K.H. Koehler,
Miami Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
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 10 Jan. 2026.
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