1
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
Relevance
2
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of explanation
This pattern of shifting explanations demonstrates clear false advertising.
—
Christopher Elliott, Mercury News, 12 June 2026
An analysis conducted by the Pentagon’s All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office reviewed several possible explanations, including military exercises and flare deployments occurring nearby.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 12 June 2026
Claire insists the latter explanation can’t be true.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 12 June 2026
Health groups and Washington lawmakers quickly condemned the decision and have called for an explanation.
—Matthew Perrone, Fortune, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for explanation
Christopher Elliott, Mercury News, 12 June 2026
An analysis conducted by the Pentagon’s All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office reviewed several possible explanations, including military exercises and flare deployments occurring nearby.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 12 June 2026
Claire insists the latter explanation can’t be true.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 12 June 2026
Health groups and Washington lawmakers quickly condemned the decision and have called for an explanation.
—Matthew Perrone, Fortune, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for explanation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explanation
Noun
-
Williams, who was sponsored by Puma at the time, wore an interpretation of the shirt at the French Open that year, complete with long, football-style yellow socks.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
-
The Dior store, located at 650 West 41st Avenue, has an exterior with a distinctive, elegant white marble facade in six finishes, which is enhanced by a graphic interpretation of cannage.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
Many fans cited transportation logistics and enhanced security measures as key reasons for the delays.—
Abby Dodge,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
-
So what was the real reason Ilunga did it?—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
To me, World Cup ticket prices are a striking illustration of how deep this reality has become.—
Stefan Szymanski,
Fortune,
12 June 2026
-
But this week in Tennessee, more than 500 miles away from Washington, DC, officials quietly unveiled a far more revealing illustration of the US president’s future architectural legacy.—
Oscar Holland,
CNN Money,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
Rejoining will necessitate difficult negotiations over the terms of re-entry and, doubtless, a heated argument at home.—
Anand Menon,
Time,
13 June 2026
-
Opponents’ arguments, however, go beyond the $225 million increase to the details of financing.—
Judith Kohler,
Denver Post,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
The account provides no clarification on what prompted the police response in the neighborhood or when the video was taken.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
-
The five-in-one cleaning system not only handles your pool’s floor, walls, waterline and surface but also purifies the water with natural clarification technology.—
V BRAND STORIES,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally, the first woman to lead the church and the person seen as the spiritual leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion, issued the apology as the church released a report on conditions at the homes from 1949 to 1976.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 June 2026
-
Response from Baltimore Pride organizers and the city The Pride Center of Maryland, the main organizer for Baltimore Pride, issued an apology on Sunday on stage.—
Dennis Valera,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
However, StyleCaster may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.—
Jessie Quinn,
StyleCaster,
19 June 2026
-
Engineering, education, business development and accounting and finance also remained reliable sources of fully remote opportunities.—
Bryan Robinson,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
Maybe that’s true, but effective art needs no justification.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
18 June 2026
-
This is the justification for killing people, which, by the way, does not sound that different from the justifications governments offer for violating people’s human rights.—
Jen Chaney,
Vulture,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Explanation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explanation. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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