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 the sketch, Bargatze plays George Washington and explains the confusing nature of modern-day America.
—
Rosa Escandon, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Whereas previous metal pollution records extracted their silt, or evidence from areas far from their sources— upland peat cores or mountain and polar glaciers, Cambridge specifies –the most recent data comes from the epicenter of production, a paleochannel of the River Ure, Cambridge explains.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 14 Sep. 2025
That’s because the First Amendment plays a unique role when the government is the employer, Collis explains — and the Supreme Court has ruled that if an employee is acting in a private capacity but speaking on a matter of public concern, they’re protected.
—Nino Paoli, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2025
Here, Renzi explains how long the doc was in the works, why family members didn’t participate, and how Marco of all people helped Sheen to get off crack.
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 13 Sep. 2025
This likely explains the trees’ lack of flowering.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
Speleology fell away as a formal academic discipline after the war, Mattes explains.
—Danny Robb, JSTOR Daily, 12 Sep. 2025
This explains why our graduates are securing positions at prestigious organizations and often earning higher starting salaries compared to graduates from other Florida university hospitality programs.
—Dr. Michael Cheng, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 2025
Science fiction often explains interstellar travel by imagining some kind of warp drive.
—Matthew Hutson, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2025
Rosa Escandon, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Whereas previous metal pollution records extracted their silt, or evidence from areas far from their sources— upland peat cores or mountain and polar glaciers, Cambridge specifies –the most recent data comes from the epicenter of production, a paleochannel of the River Ure, Cambridge explains.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 14 Sep. 2025
That’s because the First Amendment plays a unique role when the government is the employer, Collis explains — and the Supreme Court has ruled that if an employee is acting in a private capacity but speaking on a matter of public concern, they’re protected.
—Nino Paoli, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2025
Here, Renzi explains how long the doc was in the works, why family members didn’t participate, and how Marco of all people helped Sheen to get off crack.
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 13 Sep. 2025
This likely explains the trees’ lack of flowering.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
Speleology fell away as a formal academic discipline after the war, Mattes explains.
—Danny Robb, JSTOR Daily, 12 Sep. 2025
This explains why our graduates are securing positions at prestigious organizations and often earning higher starting salaries compared to graduates from other Florida university hospitality programs.
—Dr. Michael Cheng, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 2025
Science fiction often explains interstellar travel by imagining some kind of warp drive.
—Matthew Hutson, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explains
Verb
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Brazil illustrates both the promise and the tension.—
Tony Bradley,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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That illustrates the value of your personal information in the wrong hands.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
13 Sep. 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
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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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Uncertainty has also been reduced by the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill in July, which clarifies questions around tax policy and provides incentives for corporations to invest while also boosting their free cash flow generation in many cases.—
Jeffrey Schulze,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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The website clarifies that Kith Ivy will host an Erewhon Tonic Bar (sorry, not the full grocery store) for members.—
Oren Peleg,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Their growing role in channeling demand for Treasuries demonstrates how code, markets, and regulation are converging to create an undeniable new form of fiscal infrastructure that may prolong America’s place in the global financial system.—
Becca Bratcher,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
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The poll found a majority or plurality of voters believe that Hochul works hard, demonstrates honesty, gets things done, provides decisive leadership, and cares about people—four categories where her numbers are up significantly from June 2024 (this is first time 'get things done' was asked).—
Nick Mordowanec,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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This simplifies the review of Connelly, where a much broader range of temperature proxies dilutes some conclusions.—
Ian Dexter Palmer,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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That simplifies the process for fans, but probably doesn’t alleviate the sticker shock.—
Brendan Coffey,
Sportico.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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And yet — Still, the report illuminates an important facet of how today’s AI systems work.—
Billy Perrigo,
Time,
10 Sep. 2025
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Reflective and semi-transparent surfaces are found throughout the store, with Frazen highlighting shelving that illuminates a lineup of handbags and footwear on display.—
Ryma Chikhoune,
Footwear News,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Explains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explains. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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