1
as in illustrates
to make plain or understandable
a pamphlet that explains the medical procedure in language that any layperson can understand
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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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Recent Examples of explains
Bo-Katan explains the Mandalorians who raised Din and taught him to never show his face are religious zealots known as the Children of the Watch, who broke from Mandalorian society.
—
Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 16 May 2026
Epigenetics explains how your behaviors and environment can affect how your genes act.
—Julie Scott, Verywell Health, 15 May 2026
These morality tales, focusing on figures like Michael Milken and Ivan Boesky, make an implicit claim that individual avarice somehow explains the excesses of an entire era.
—Literary Hub, 15 May 2026
This explains why companies did not experience a commercial-traffic collapse.
—Ming Zhu, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Guests could ask questions or simply take in the show, Master S’ango explains.
—Victoria M. Walker, Bon Appetit Magazine, 15 May 2026
Perhaps none other than nuclear energy best explains that.
—Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 15 May 2026
That dynamic explains the Sweden-to-Latvia route.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 8 May 2026
And this also explains some of the fear that Reform, which is hovering around the twenties in national polls, could potentially lead the next government, whereas the German far-right party, the AfD, is also polling in the twenties but has no chance to form the next government.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 8 May 2026
Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 16 May 2026
Epigenetics explains how your behaviors and environment can affect how your genes act.
—Julie Scott, Verywell Health, 15 May 2026
These morality tales, focusing on figures like Michael Milken and Ivan Boesky, make an implicit claim that individual avarice somehow explains the excesses of an entire era.
—Literary Hub, 15 May 2026
This explains why companies did not experience a commercial-traffic collapse.
—Ming Zhu, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Guests could ask questions or simply take in the show, Master S’ango explains.
—Victoria M. Walker, Bon Appetit Magazine, 15 May 2026
Perhaps none other than nuclear energy best explains that.
—Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 15 May 2026
That dynamic explains the Sweden-to-Latvia route.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 8 May 2026
And this also explains some of the fear that Reform, which is hovering around the twenties in national polls, could potentially lead the next government, whereas the German far-right party, the AfD, is also polling in the twenties but has no chance to form the next government.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 8 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explains
Verb
-
Instability in several of the world’s most important energy suppliers illustrates how quickly geopolitical crises can ripple through global markets.—
Yu Jie,
Time,
13 May 2026
-
Greene’s experience illustrates a broader challenge.—
Davi Jacobs,
Baltimore Sun,
13 May 2026
Verb
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That’s an acute disconnect for early-career filmmakers weighing whether the traditional path justifies the cost and risk.—
Dana Harris-Bridson,
IndieWire,
8 May 2026
-
But none of this justifies standing still.—
Peter S. Hendricks,
STAT,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
The new rule clarifies that for songs submitted as the first new music cue once the end credits begin, the video clip must include the last 15 seconds of the film before the credits begin.—
Marcus Jones,
IndieWire,
1 May 2026
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The attorney then clarifies if his testimony is that Randklev went through the training, but had not read any part of the act.—
Fousia Abdullahi,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But as another voter rationalizes, the sheer size of the ballot will do more harm than good in the long run.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
12 Mar. 2026
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True crime, as a genre, rationalizes its exploitations—people’s tragedies and traumas, recast for popular consumption—by couching the sensationalism in considerations of justice.—
Megan Garber,
The Atlantic,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Publishing books by authors who endorse the BDS movement demonstrates to Israeli readers that opposition to occupation, apartheid, and genocide is what lies at the heart of the boycott—a clearly legitimate form of nonviolent political protest.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
19 May 2026
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Python incentives and education specialist Robert Edman, with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, demonstrates how to catch a python during an event promoting the Florida Python Challenge 2020 Python Bowl in 2019.—
Morgan Rynor,
CBS News,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
Once residency requirements are met, expats can join the public system and receive a French health insurance card, known as the Carte Vitale, which simplifies payments and reimbursements.—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
14 May 2026
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The fare includes travel by luxury mini‑coach, a driver‑guide and some attractions, and Rabbie’s can also book your hotels, which simplifies things even further.—
David Dickstein,
Oc Register,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Amid the blossoming love between Pierre and Francis, one soldier grapples with a decision that illuminates the movie’s choice of title.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
12 May 2026
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That game illuminates the tension between self and community that has fueled the show’s longevity, and reflects the preoccupations of a country that has always been torn between the two.—
Julie Beck,
The Atlantic,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Explains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explains. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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