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
In between bites, Echols explains where his love of burgers came from.
—
Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 2025
Juliana Vanegas, a marine biologist who works with Alvarado, explains what happens.
—John Otis, NPR, 5 Oct. 2025
This breakthrough, the team explains, could open the door to future lightweight and versatile solar applications.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2025
The Dolphins’ defense continues to keep opposing offenses in the game, which explains the 17-10 halftime lead Miami had after starting the game up 17-0 five seconds in the second quarter.
—Omar Kelly
updated October 5, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2025
Swap Out Summer Soaps, Swap in Autumn Scents Kelly explains that bathrooms tend to be overlooked when decorating, and a simple way to create a cozy fall space is by ditching lemon, orange, and bright soap scents in favor of autumnal ones like apple, cinnamon, pumpkin, and spice.
—Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025
The source explains that Meghan still has a level of mistrust towards the firm.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 27 Sep. 2025
Here, Butcher explains how his team brings it all to life.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 27 Sep. 2025
The risk of seizures is not a new concern, explains Elizabeth Cilenti, MD, MPH, an internist and pediatrician at Northern Virginia Family Practice Associates.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 26 Sep. 2025
Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 2025
Juliana Vanegas, a marine biologist who works with Alvarado, explains what happens.
—John Otis, NPR, 5 Oct. 2025
This breakthrough, the team explains, could open the door to future lightweight and versatile solar applications.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2025
The Dolphins’ defense continues to keep opposing offenses in the game, which explains the 17-10 halftime lead Miami had after starting the game up 17-0 five seconds in the second quarter.
—Omar Kelly
updated October 5, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2025
Swap Out Summer Soaps, Swap in Autumn Scents Kelly explains that bathrooms tend to be overlooked when decorating, and a simple way to create a cozy fall space is by ditching lemon, orange, and bright soap scents in favor of autumnal ones like apple, cinnamon, pumpkin, and spice.
—Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025
The source explains that Meghan still has a level of mistrust towards the firm.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 27 Sep. 2025
Here, Butcher explains how his team brings it all to life.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 27 Sep. 2025
The risk of seizures is not a new concern, explains Elizabeth Cilenti, MD, MPH, an internist and pediatrician at Northern Virginia Family Practice Associates.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 26 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explains
Verb
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This ruling comes amid broader debates in the United States over the future of TPS, a humanitarian immigration program, and illustrates the judiciary’s influential role in shaping national immigration policy.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Shot on location surrounded by her horses, the campaign illustrates elevated pieces designed for today’s modern wardrobe, and shows Springsteen in her truest from.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This year's installer icon is one of the ones that finally justifies years' worth of effort spent tracking and talking about the changes in macOS installer icons.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Throughout, in interviews with Costa, Malafaia justifies his political aspiration with Biblical parables.—
Jon Lee Anderson,
New Yorker,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Therien clarifies that's just one option for play, though.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Sep. 2025
-
The new rule clarifies the use of electronic devices and what is permitted in the sport; new rules were added last season to allow coaches to communicate electrrocially in games.—
John Maffei,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Kinethreads demonstrates that high-quality haptics no longer need to be locked behind expensive, rigid exoskeletons.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Sep. 2025
-
In this era, as the rest of the postseason field demonstrates, that makes Milwaukee one of the exceptions to the rule.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The upright positioning also simplifies maintenance by leaving walkable space between panel rows.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Sep. 2025
-
This greatly simplifies the PuDo problem as well, though these areas often have very congested traffic.—
Brad Templeton,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The full moon in Libra on the 12th illuminates your relationships, highlighting where you may be stuck in codependent or toxic dynamics.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 Oct. 2025
-
The Revitalizing Serum, made with mostly natural ingredients including red camellia extract, smooths and illuminates the skin while its counterpart—the Revitalizing Eye Serum—wakes up the gaze.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Explains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explains. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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