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?
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of explains
Anne Irfan explains how the 1956 Israeli occupation of Gaza informs the present and future.
—
Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
Gaia explains that the Merlot vineyards planted almost 30 years ago no longer offer the consistency necessary to produce their top end wine.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 2 Nov. 2025
The team’s success in identifying the polaron not only explains the material’s strange switch from metal to insulator but also confirms a key theoretical concept in a new class of materials.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 2 Nov. 2025
Early on, the larvae are very tiny and at the mercy of sea currents, explains Pruett, who has studied them in the lab.
—JSTOR Daily, 31 Oct. 2025
In fact, as showrunner and executive producer Alex Duda explains, the Halloween theme is always based on Clarkson’s Kellyoke pick.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
Johnston explains that wool rugs should only be cleaned with a cold water process, which protects the fibers from damage or distortion.
—Jennifer Beck Goldblatt, Architectural Digest, 31 Oct. 2025
The text explains that the owner got the kitten on October 25 and introduced them within 24 hours.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
Which explains some of the comprehensive re-structuring of this summer.
—Aaron Tolentino, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
Gaia explains that the Merlot vineyards planted almost 30 years ago no longer offer the consistency necessary to produce their top end wine.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 2 Nov. 2025
The team’s success in identifying the polaron not only explains the material’s strange switch from metal to insulator but also confirms a key theoretical concept in a new class of materials.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 2 Nov. 2025
Early on, the larvae are very tiny and at the mercy of sea currents, explains Pruett, who has studied them in the lab.
—JSTOR Daily, 31 Oct. 2025
In fact, as showrunner and executive producer Alex Duda explains, the Halloween theme is always based on Clarkson’s Kellyoke pick.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
Johnston explains that wool rugs should only be cleaned with a cold water process, which protects the fibers from damage or distortion.
—Jennifer Beck Goldblatt, Architectural Digest, 31 Oct. 2025
The text explains that the owner got the kitten on October 25 and introduced them within 24 hours.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
Which explains some of the comprehensive re-structuring of this summer.
—Aaron Tolentino, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explains
Verb
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The anecdote also illustrates a leadership philosophy Weeks has maintained throughout his tenure.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Pacific transit route The family’s experience illustrates how Ecuador has become a critical route in the cocaine trade.—
David Culver,
CNN Money,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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
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For Bangladesh, the potential catastrophe of not tackling cascading environmental challenges justifies the risk of alienating its far more powerful neighbor.—
Pintu Kumar Mahla,
The Conversation,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The announcement clarifies Bordeaux's return to active wrestling following her WWE exit.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Proposition 411 clarifies the city manager’s role.—
Maritza Dominguez,
AZCentral.com,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Despite states’ commitments to protect the rights of journalists to carry out their work freely and safely, the lack of action by states demonstrates an alarming and deeply dangerous failure by the international community to uphold the rule of law when violations occur.—
Scott Griffen,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
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What’s next Our research demonstrates that policy-level solutions work.—
Anthony Bald,
The Conversation,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
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Starting in November, the Festival of Trees illuminates the space with a forest of evergreens, each individually decorated by local contributors.—
Symiah Dorsey,
Southern Living,
24 Oct. 2025
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Scorpio season illuminates the balance of power and depth in your closest connections.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Explains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explains. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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