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

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

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
  • When an agent misreads it, that interpretation can shape campaigns, seller outreach, budget decisions and workflows across the revenue organization.
    — Kelly Hopping, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Theosophy’s principal binary, though on the surface abstract, lent itself rather quickly to an erotic interpretation.
    — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of interpretation
Noun
  • Requiring personnel to document a legitimate law-enforcement reason and associated case number before conducting a license-plate search.
    — Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The intense interest in the case is one reason why her lawyers are pushing for a retrial – the town was so crowded that at one stage jury members shared a hotel with the prosecution team and an informant.
    — Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of reason
Noun
  • In this photo illustration, the stock market information of Synchrony Financial displayed on a smartphone while the logo of Synchrony Financial seen in the background.
    — Hugh Son, CNBC, 17 Aug. 2026
  • His reinstatement as judge after Assad was toppled and fled the country for Russia in December 2024 is an illustration of the country’s pursuit of transitional justice.
    — Paula Hancocks, CNN Money, 16 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
  • After four days of business, owner Nate Lindskoog, who also runs Nampa’s Tower Grill, posted a sort of thank you/apology video.
    — Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 18 Aug. 2026
  • If you get attacked in a city, the city should send you an apology email.
    — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of apology
Noun
  • George Newcomb, who is serving as interim CFO, will continue in his role as controller and chief accounting officer.
    — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The going concern disclosure is based on a forward-looking technical accounting analysis which considers only funding that has been unconditionally secured as of the date of the assessment.
    — CBS Chicago Team, CBS News, 18 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
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Explanation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explanation. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on explanation

Nglish: Translation of explanation for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of divulge

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All