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 Trying to find an explanation for why a claim was denied is a fruitless task. — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026 The Kennedy Center did not provide the Times with an explanation for why the sculpture was being removed. — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 2 Sep. 2026 That explanation, which was given to Quatraro on the field, clearly was unacceptable to the Royals manager. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026 Extraneous explanation, process, context and answers beyond the scope of the question muddy your points with unnecessary and often unhelpful information. — John Bowe, CNBC, 2 Sep. 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
  • Under the Taliban’s draconian interpretation of sharia, watching movies, playing chess, singing, and playing or listening to music are all banned.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Under certain interpretations of the 1963 rule, courts are not allowed to weigh whether a merger might make competition stronger overall.
    — Shubha Ghosh, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of interpretation
Noun
  • After wrapping up its longest monthly losing streak on Wall Street in more than a decade, Google has started September by giving investors several reasons for optimism.
    — MacKenzie Sigalos,Drew Troast, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Another company might have seen the same 20% decline for entirely different reasons.
    — James Fratzke, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of reason
Noun
  • But the circumstances provide an unusually good illustration of how potentially enormous financial advantage can be gained from knowing in advance what a president is about to say.
    — Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Holding cotton candy in one hand, Rani—whom Hudson shares with fiancé Danny Fujikawa—topped her long golden blonde hair with a cream cowboy hat that was embellished with her name and an illustration of a rose.
    — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of illustration
Noun
  • The earliest arguments for the non-existence of time go back to the pre-Socratic Greek philosopher, Parmenides of Elea, in southwest Italy, who flourished in the fifth century BCE.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The central legal argument made by the petitioners revolved around the Kansas Public Speech Protection Act, a law designed to safeguard the constitutional rights of a person to petition and prevent lawsuits that silence public participation.
    — Cuyler Dunn, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of argument
Noun
  • Drop one task that doesn’t need to happen today, and ask for clarification if a deadline feels unreasonable.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 7 Sep. 2026
  • OlloBot's child privacy language needs clarification There is another privacy point worth watching.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of clarification
Noun
  • The viral moment became a topic of conversation for weeks after the show wrapped, with Rausch also gifting her a Birkin Bag as an apology for betraying her on the show.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The rest of the officers at the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office who were part of setting this undercover operation up and didn’t listen owe the officer an apology.
    — Sean Joseph OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of apology
Noun
  • Fox News has Bottoms ahead at 52%, Jackson at 48%, with no accounting for undecided voters.
    — Irene Wright, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Sky has now hit back, accusing Kavanagh of false accounting and misusing a company credit card.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of accounting
Noun
  • The habeas statute directs judges to give the government three days to initially respond with justification for the detention but allows for that deadline to be extended up to 20 days.
    — Carla Astudillo, ProPublica, 3 Sep. 2026
  • If the answer requires long justification, your growth opportunity is not communication but rather the board appointment governance.
    — Albana Vrioni, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 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 8 Sep. 2026.

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