Thesaurus results for EXPLANATION

explanation

noun

ˌek-splə-ˈnā-shən

Definition of explanation

as in interpretation

a statement that makes something clear an explanation of photosynthesis that most museum visitors will be able to understand

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in reason

a statement given to explain a belief or act when questioned by authorities, the students were at a loss for an explanation for their senseless vandalism

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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 explanation In fact, OutKick also reached out to Hill directly for an explanation. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 Aug. 2026 Club de Lyon has been lobbying on Pourrain’s behalf on social media, claiming that the ICE explanation of his situation was not complete or fully accurate. — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 12 Aug. 2026 No official explanation was given for Stella’s departure from the CEO position. — Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2026 On further inspection, a rational explanation comes into focus. — Michael Ashley, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for explanation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for explanation

Noun

The federal government’s new interpretation of Title IX has left Jeffco Public Schools in a bind.

— Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 10 Aug. 2026
Whatever might be happening on the streets of American cities—or whatever the current occupant of the Oval Office might be like—constitutional interpretation was in safe hands at the highest court in the land.

— Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of interpretation

Noun

These groups that are coming here are coming for one reason, and that is to provoke a reaction and generate attention.

— Heath Kalb, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
The suit maintains that the commission’s denial does not identify any adverse impact to a wetland function or value, nor any feasible and prudent alternatives to address the Commission’s reasons for denial, in violation of state law, Conn.

— Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of reason

Noun

These covers were respectively created by graphic designer Ben Denzer, freelance artist Patrice Sheridan (after an illustration by Thomas Colligan), and Penguin Associate Art Director Amanda Dewey.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2026
The mods think Reddit might have designated the website—and thus any post using its content for explanatory illustrations—as spam.

— Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of illustration

Noun

Washington decidedthat the argument had already been won and stopped making it.

— James K. Glassman, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Features like autoplay, infinite scroll and algorithmic content recommendations have been the prime targets of legal arguments that social media platforms are designed to be addictive.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of argument

Noun

Meta’s India headache A parliamentary panel last Wednesday demanded an apology from Mark Zuckerberg within three days over the brief restriction of a post by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Meta Platform’s Facebook.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 10 Aug. 2026
Many iTunes users weren’t so pleased, causing the band to issue an apology.

— Kelly Allen, PEOPLE, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of apology

Noun

Anthropic is working with a carbon accounting and emissions disclosure platform, Watershed, to measure its company-wide footprint and to comply with the reporting requirements under the law, according to a company spokesperson.

— Olivia Raimonde, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2026
The investigations, according to The Wall Street Journal, started with a whistleblower complaint about accounting, but have spread to focus on investment in private credit, a lending business that helped finance Guggenheim’s Dodgers purchase.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of accounting

Noun

When it’s finally revealed that there are monstrous beings at work, there’s little justification of what their goals are.

— Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2026
An upbeat news report explains that rates of teen pregnancy are down, which is a very 1980s justification.

— Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of justification

Browse Nearby Words

explains away

explanation

explanations

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Style

“Explanation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explanation. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of explanation

noun

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