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
The ending really is a tremendous letdown that saps the incredibly narrated tension of the rest of the movie and replaces it with too-neat explanations.
—
James Grebey, Time, 20 June 2025
Along with his father and grandfather, Bambino gets to work sweeping up the stars in a cute, but wildly inaccurate, explanation for the phases of the Moon.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 20 June 2025
One explanation so far is that both engines of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner failed, a highly unlikely event.
—Sheldon H. Jacobson, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2025
Unless Troops Deployed Other explanations for the declining employment opportunities for white men could lie in troubles in some industries that employ more white men than white women, for example.
—Christian Weller, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for explanation
James Grebey, Time, 20 June 2025
Along with his father and grandfather, Bambino gets to work sweeping up the stars in a cute, but wildly inaccurate, explanation for the phases of the Moon.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 20 June 2025
One explanation so far is that both engines of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner failed, a highly unlikely event.
—Sheldon H. Jacobson, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2025
Unless Troops Deployed Other explanations for the declining employment opportunities for white men could lie in troubles in some industries that employ more white men than white women, for example.
—Christian Weller, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for explanation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explanation
Noun
-
Thomas' interpretation and feelings toward the 150-year-old law have been conveyed numerous times in past Court decisions.—
Nick Mordowanec,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 June 2025
-
Analyzing the president’s motivations became the continent’s favorite parlor game, because the appropriate response to him would depend on which interpretation one favored.—
Gideon Rose,
Foreign Affairs,
23 June 2025
Noun
-
Every manager, then, wanted a guy on his bench who was there for one reason only: to grab a bat, terrify the closer and obliterate a baseball.—
Jayson Stark,
New York Times,
19 June 2025
-
In Virginia, Democratic turnout rose even without much of a reason to vote.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
19 June 2025
Noun
-
An illustrator and illustrations teacher at the time, Jacobsen learned of Machine Head, a metal fabrication shop in the Crossroads, through Arts Upload, a PBS show featuring local art.—
Madeline King,
Kansas City Star,
24 June 2025
-
Featuring illustrations by Nenka Myers, the book will arrive in spring 2026.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
People.com,
23 June 2025
Noun
-
The news outlets say that the argument runs contrary to what OpenAI tells its users about being subject to retaining data if the law requires it.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
18 June 2025
-
But Carlson has broken away from other Republicans over the Israel-Iran argument.—
Rebecca Schneid,
Time,
18 June 2025
Noun
-
Earlier this month, Sanchez issued an apology after audio was released that seemingly showed PSOE secretary Santos Cerdan discussing improperly awarding public contracts in exchange for commissions, BBC News reported.—
Sophia Compton,
FOXNews.com,
26 June 2025
-
On Tuesday, Kove issued an official apology to Hannah-Kim for the assault at the convention.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
26 June 2025
Noun
-
Here’s how the thesis goes: First, acquire traditional business process outsourcing (BPO) companies such as call centers and accounting firms at modest valuations of 1x revenue.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
27 June 2025
-
Unlike accounting expertise that could be compartmentalized to audit committees, AI permeates every business function.—
Steven Wolfe Pereira,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
Noun
-
Trump’s predecessors feared that strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, regardless of their tactical success, could give Tehran the political justification to withdraw from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty and openly pursue nuclear arms, driving its program further underground and out of sight.—
Michael Wilner,
Los Angeles Times,
26 June 2025
-
The country's President Vladimir Putin met with Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi in Moscow on June 23 and said there was no justification for the U.S. attack and called aggression against Iran groundless.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
24 June 2025
Noun
-
Since the 9/11 attacks and the resulting congressional Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF), presidents have liberally directed military strikes on the rationale that the targets were connected to 9/11 and its aftermath.—
The Editors,
National Review,
22 June 2025
-
The rationale was that this care isn't technically medical.—
Kat McGowan,
NPR,
20 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Explanation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explanation. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share