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 The company, which has a store at 7877 Greenback Lane in Citrus Heights, did not offer an explanation for the closures. — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 17 Sep. 2026 Two days later, an anonymous email arrived with a forwarded document and no explanation. — Harvard Business Review, 17 Sep. 2026 The bizarre buyer of puts may be trying to take advantage of this by trading a spread between VIX options and the underlying futures, according to one explanation offered by SpotGamma's Brent Kochuba. — Oliver Renick, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2026 The Mid-American Conference initially accepted the Big Ten's explanation of what happened at the end of the game, but joined Western Michigan in asking for the result to be overturned. — ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for explanation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for explanation

Noun

The interpretation around physical contact has become so vague that nobody can have any faith in what any referee, in any game or situation, will decide to do next.

— Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
In the 250 years since Newton introduced his famous laws of motion, physicists had come to believe their equations described a reality that was entirely independent of human action or interpretation.

— Adam Frank, NPR, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of interpretation

Noun

Its collection deliberately defies conventional boundaries between fine and popular art, placing painting and sculpture alongside illustration, comics, photography, and cinema.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Sep. 2026
MasterCard and Visa cards are seen in this illustration photo taken in Krakow, Poland on March 29, 2024.

— Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of illustration

Noun

Dyson is hardly a stranger to powerful cleaning gear, and taking $100 off makes this one much easier to consider if your current vacuum, or even your trusty Roomba, is losing the daily argument with fur, crumbs, and dirt.

— Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 18 Sep. 2026
Police in Brockton, Massachusetts, said he was accused of grabbing his wife by the throat and throwing her into a dresser during an argument.

— Kierra Frazier, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of argument

Noun

The next day, the grandson of Archie Manning and nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning posted an apology on his Instagram Story.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Manning’s public misstep and ensuing apology are notable for one of college football’s most prominent players.

— Jim Vertuno, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of apology

Noun

This is where financial risk control measures, such as internal monitoring of accounting activities and openly communicating with stakeholders, are key.

— Shawn L. Davenport, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2026
The accounting giant recently debuted its new 102,000-square-foot office at Ten Twenty Spring in Midtown, occupying three floors in one of the city’s newest workplace towers.

— Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of accounting

Noun

In a filing this week, Beatty’s team alleged that the center was citing the ceiling damage as justification for closure, but pointed out that a similar problem in 1977 was addressed without shutting down the center.

— Janay Kingsberry, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2026
Frimpong also referenced cases in which immigration officers offered justifications for an arrest that did not match evidence from the scene.

— Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 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 20 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of explanation

noun

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