explanation

noun

ˌek-splə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce explanation (audio)
Definition of explanationnext
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

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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

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
  1. interpretation
  2. reason
  3. illustration
  4. argument
  5. clarification
  6. apology
  7. accounting
  8. justification
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
  • According to Ian Weinstein, a defense lawyer and professor at Fordham School of Law, the specific charges at issue will determine the success of a double jeopardy argument.
    — Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • In January, prosecutors filed a response opposing the motion, Kestou filed a brief in support of it, and the court heard arguments from both parties, court documents said.
    — DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of argument
Noun
  • Welker pushed back on that claim, prompting further clarification from the attorney general.
    — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 16 Aug. 2026
  • However, time spent waiting for clarification on the rules also eats into the 90-day window.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of clarification
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
  • Twitch had a simple justification for letting its parent company, Amazon, use streamers’ content to train generative AI by default.
    — Angela Yang, NBC news, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Additionally, searches using Flock’s system will now require search justification by requiring case codes for all law enforcement searches with an exemption for emergency searches, which will still be reviewed.
    — Joel Feder, The Drive, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of justification

Browse Nearby Words

explains away
explanation
explanations
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Cite this Entry

“Explanation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explanation. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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