1
as in interpretations
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 reasons
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
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Recent Examples of explanations
The challenge is confirming biological activity while eliminating non-biologic explanations.
—
Big Think, 9 Feb. 2026
Gabbard’s office declined to answer questions about the changing explanations for her involvement and pointed to Bondi’s comments.
—David Klepper, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026
Instead of focusing only on elite events, some organizers now include family relays, beginner heats, and clearer judging explanations.
—Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 7 Feb. 2026
Gabbard’s office did not immediately respond to questions about the changing explanations for her involvement.
—David Klepper, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
Valentine's Day pagan connections One of the most common explanations is that Valentine's Day has its origins in the ancient Roman fertility festival of Lupercalia.
—Marina Johnson, IndyStar, 5 Feb. 2026
See the above Reddit thread for more detailed explanations of the game’s complex mythology, which is doled out haphazardly over the course of the film.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2026
Analysts have offered a range of explanations for the slump, from fading inflows to deteriorating liquidity and a broader loss of macro appeal.
—Bloomberg, Oc Register, 4 Feb. 2026
Confidence isn’t created by explanations.
—Shep Hyken, Forbes.com, 25 Jan. 2026
Big Think, 9 Feb. 2026
Gabbard’s office declined to answer questions about the changing explanations for her involvement and pointed to Bondi’s comments.
—David Klepper, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026
Instead of focusing only on elite events, some organizers now include family relays, beginner heats, and clearer judging explanations.
—Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 7 Feb. 2026
Gabbard’s office did not immediately respond to questions about the changing explanations for her involvement.
—David Klepper, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
Valentine's Day pagan connections One of the most common explanations is that Valentine's Day has its origins in the ancient Roman fertility festival of Lupercalia.
—Marina Johnson, IndyStar, 5 Feb. 2026
See the above Reddit thread for more detailed explanations of the game’s complex mythology, which is doled out haphazardly over the course of the film.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2026
Analysts have offered a range of explanations for the slump, from fading inflows to deteriorating liquidity and a broader loss of macro appeal.
—Bloomberg, Oc Register, 4 Feb. 2026
Confidence isn’t created by explanations.
—Shep Hyken, Forbes.com, 25 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explanations
Noun
-
The film juxtaposes intimate vérité of Yo’s last year with Anna’s creative interpretations of Yo’s dramatic life stories.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
-
There are different interpretations of Valentine's Day, according to Pepper Schwartz, professor of sociology at the University of Washington in Seattle and the author of 25 books on love, sexuality and commitment.—
George Petras,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Despite the fact that South Korea is obviously, for very understandable reasons, suspicious about Japanese nationalism.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The judge cited the 23-year-old defendant's potential for rehabilitation and difficult upbringing as reasons for the lower sentence.—
Monroe Trombly,
Louisville Courier Journal,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
At night, gather in front of a crackling fire for pre-dinner drinks in the drawing room, which is filled with illustrations of Parisian opera stars, antique finds, and Monopoly.—
Harriet Compston,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Gregory Shamus / Getty Images The designs were inspired by the Dolomite Mountains and bold pattern illustrations, Ben Sherman says, and incorporate heritage checks and Fair Isle knitwear.—
Melissa Gaffney,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Ratcliffe’s comments align with the arguments made by Britain’s right-wing populist Reform UK party, which ties its anti-immigrant message to protecting the country.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
12 Feb. 2026
-
The court is in the middle of a four-week break from hearing arguments and issuing opinions.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Both Angell and Kubiniec later issued apologies, though Kubiniec called for action against Angell for threatening to kill him, WSOC reported.—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Feb. 2026
-
After decades of estrangement between him and Hutton, the two former bandmates met last year in a timely effort to exchange apologies and bury the hatchet.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
2 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
So while the balance-sheet justifications might shift, the general logic won’t.—
Clio Chang,
Curbed,
30 Jan. 2026
-
In a somewhat baffling aside that failed to meet the moment, Jordan Klepper popped in, supposedly live from Minneapolis, to satirize the ever-shifting goalposts of the administration’s justifications for Pretti’s death.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Explanations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explanations. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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