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
Relevance
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
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 explanations
To say nothing about the thorny question of its genre—do Eastern European writers need to provide more explanations and justifications when using the technique of autofiction?
—
Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
From there, the tool offers up five colors, with explanations for how each suits the theme or prompt and links back to further information about those colors and their importance.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 5 Nov. 2025
The news is unexpected, given Bergeron’s shocking dismissal from the ABC hit reality competition series in 2020 after hosting for 15 years, and his subsequent explanations as to why.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 5 Nov. 2025
However, Meaney noted that alternative explanations, such as falling space debris or an object dropped from an aircraft, are still being considered.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2025
Your theory is interesting but IMO far too confident in your assertion and provide only correlational evidence/data that the 5 subs rule is leading to more injuries when there are more plausible explanations.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
This approach would be helpful here, although what those alternative explanations might be are not yet certain.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Larsen and his colleagues still aren’t sure why ITCs lower lactate; there are a few possible biochemical explanations, but none has been proven yet.
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside, 29 Oct. 2025
The investigator also requested explanations of the training, strategy and threat assessments specific to the operation, according to court documents.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
From there, the tool offers up five colors, with explanations for how each suits the theme or prompt and links back to further information about those colors and their importance.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 5 Nov. 2025
The news is unexpected, given Bergeron’s shocking dismissal from the ABC hit reality competition series in 2020 after hosting for 15 years, and his subsequent explanations as to why.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 5 Nov. 2025
However, Meaney noted that alternative explanations, such as falling space debris or an object dropped from an aircraft, are still being considered.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2025
Your theory is interesting but IMO far too confident in your assertion and provide only correlational evidence/data that the 5 subs rule is leading to more injuries when there are more plausible explanations.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
This approach would be helpful here, although what those alternative explanations might be are not yet certain.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Larsen and his colleagues still aren’t sure why ITCs lower lactate; there are a few possible biochemical explanations, but none has been proven yet.
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside, 29 Oct. 2025
The investigator also requested explanations of the training, strategy and threat assessments specific to the operation, according to court documents.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explanations
Noun
-
The mid-century offered more literal interpretations of cave living, from The Flintstones (1960) to the villainous Bond lair, often hidden within or carved into cliffs.—
Leonora Epstein,
Architectural Digest,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Without an international framework, commercial ventures must navigate a patchwork of national laws and evolving interpretations of space ownership.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Human rights organizations have renewed their criticism, airing concerns about the persecution of dissent in a country where more than 800 people are behind bars for political reasons, according to the legal rights organization Foro Penal.—
Stefano Pozzebon,
CNN Money,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Lea is an Elko protégé and could appeal to PSU for many of the same reasons.—
Nelson Espinal,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Each page features full-color illustrations and only a few lines of text, making Xolo an excellent pick for reluctant readers, graphic novel lovers, and kids who’ve just begun to find their way into longer stories.—
Caroline Carlson,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
-
The children's book is co-authored by Thompson and Bryan Tucker, with illustrations by Tony Neal.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Two of the Democratic standard-bearers to emerge from last week’s elections—Abigail Spanberger, the incoming governor of Virginia, and Zohran Mamdani, the mayor-elect of New York City—have emphasized different sides of these arguments in recent days.—
Jon Allsop,
New Yorker,
11 Nov. 2025
-
While medically assisted suicide isn’t a mainstream cause of any one political party, conversations about potential legislation happen more in progressive circles and often in connection with arguments about bodily autonomy.—
Mia Galuppo,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Leading in a skeptical era Corporate apologies are nothing new.—
Prachi Gala,
The Conversation,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Prior to Huda Beauty’s statement both Mustafa and Russell issued apologies.—
Lisa Respers France,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
To say nothing about the thorny question of its genre—do Eastern European writers need to provide more explanations and justifications when using the technique of autofiction?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Traditionally, one of the key justifications for teamwork has been its psychological benefits—the energy that comes from collaboration, the reduced stress of shared responsibility, the excitement of building on each other’s ideas.—
François Candelon,
Fortune,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Explanations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explanations. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share