EXPLAINS Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

explains

verb

present tense third-person singular of explain

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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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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of explains But they were chosen as the targets for the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) to assess our planetary defense capabilities, Makadia explains. —

Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 6 Mar. 2026 In the first episode, the peacemaking mission between Josh and Seth, in rural Montana, completely falls apart, and the mediator—who explains that this is his first official mediation—mostly just stands there as the neighbors trade insults and issue threats. —

Tyler Foggatt, New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2026 Here, Momofuku's beverage director, Jordan Salcito—who produces her own private label in Campania—explains why southern Italy should be on every wine lover's map. —

Lale Arikoglu, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Mar. 2026 The National Weather Service explains that hail inside the clouds will scatter the blue light waves, and when illuminated by sunlight, this scattering effect can give the clouds a green appearance. —

Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 5 Mar. 2026 Michael Byrd of BrydAdatto, a business law firm specializing in providing counsel to med spas, explains that the standards and regulations that apply to med spas vary widely and some states are more aggressive about enforcement than others. —

Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026 Until someone explains otherwise, theories such as this one will continue to circulate, adding to the sense of distrust. —

Simon Hughes, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026 The intrusion of warm water below the ice sheets explains most of the retreat patterns in Western Antarctica, but the significant grounding line migration along the Antarctic Peninsula, which sits on the northeast part of the continent, is not as clear, the researchers said. —

Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 5 Mar. 2026 When a flight arrives late, the gate it was originally assigned to might already be reassigned to another incoming flight, explains Danailov. —

Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 27 Feb. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for explains

Verb

The apparent corner-cutting illustrates how top brass at Florida’s flagship law school relaxed longstanding safeguards to fast-track the state’s top legal official into its classrooms — even as Republican leaders in Tallahassee demand greater transparency and oversight of university instruction.

— Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2026
After receiving permission from the government, Brevard County Public Works removed 10,000 pounds of concrete — a volume that illustrates how deeply trapped the manatee was within the infrastructure.

— Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 4 Mar. 2026