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

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 This fall’s cases show what happens when those systems misfire in the middle of an election, and why Meta’s explanations have satisfied few affected people. — Molly A. Wallace, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2026 That account differed from an earlier explanation by Atlanta City Councilmember Dustin Hillis, who said a water valve failure caused a supporting wall to collapse. — CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026 But Mahowald was also well aware that striking behavior in language models often turned out to have a simpler explanation. — Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 4 Nov. 2026 Advertisement By then, Groskopf had developed a less charitable explanation. — Angela Haupt, Time, 4 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for explanation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for explanation

Noun

Concurrent with these updates, ZDHC published a PFAS position paper and practical interpretations, which reinforces the organization’s position against the intentional use of the substances in the textile, apparel, leather and footwear supply chain.

— Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 2 Nov. 2026
Given some of the uncertainty that can result as social media discussions make spot interpretations of data, producers expect to use new graphics and standards to make races easier to understand.

— Brian Steinberg, Variety, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of interpretation

Noun

Officials, for example, have not explained whether Young’s administrative leave was related to allegations against him personally, his supervisory responsibilities or another reason.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026
The Catalan capital has been a popular destination for decades, and with good reason.

— Jaymi McCann, TheWeek, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of reason

Noun

In this photo illustration, the logo of company Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited is displayed on a smartphone in front of abstract background on computer screen.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 2 Nov. 2026
If there’s a golden ratio for success in the fashion business, its illustration might resemble a tetrahedron.

— Miles Socha, Footwear News, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of illustration

Noun

The system produced a mathematical proof that was accepted by Lean, a proof-assistant software used to check the logical correctness of formal mathematical arguments.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026
Dylan’s sneer and Mick Ronson’s guitar jab like fingers in some intense argument, trying to win the pyrrhic victory of a lovers’ quarrel.

— Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of argument

Noun

Despite our best efforts, there will undoubtedly be further clarifications and refinements that need to be made particularly within sub-teams that will need to be more specifically re-aligned to this new structure.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2026
Despite our best efforts, there will undoubtedly be further clarifications and refinements that need to be made, particularly within sub-teams that will need to be more specifically realigned to this new structure.

— Michael Schneider, Variety, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of clarification

Noun

Kim recently demanded an apology from Calvert for an ad in which his campaign claims she was compromised by the Chinese Communist Party.

— Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026
The project comes amid a reflective chapter for the former *NSYNC boy bander, who made headlines in 2021 with a public apology to Jackson acknowledging the disparity in how they were respectively treated after the Super Bowl controversy.

— Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of apology

Noun

His experience includes accounting, medical device sales and business development roles with companies including Baxter, Cardinal Health and Quest Diagnostics.

— Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
Job openings rose the most in professional and business services, which includes high-paying jobs in engineering and accounting, as well as jobs in the temp industry.

— Christopher Rugaber, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of accounting

Noun

Organizations begin with clear values, but over time, small justifications, cultural shortcuts and competing priorities erode moral clarity.

— Susan Madsen, Forbes.com, 5 Nov. 2026
On Wednesday, before the statement from the 26 caucus members was released, Welch pointed to Tuesday’s election results as justification for his taking control of the caucus campaign.

— Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 5 Nov. 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 8 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of explanation

noun

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