Thesaurus results for EXPLANATIONS

explanations

noun

plural of explanation

as in interpretations

a statement that makes something clear an explanation of photosynthesis that most museum visitors will be able to understand

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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

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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 Taking the jury back in time Each day of the trial has required explanations for how the world was different in 1996, a reminder for the older jurors and a remedial education for the younger ones. — Andy Rose, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026 Plant-specific physics explanations could also appear during training sessions. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2026 Researchers also looked at other possible explanations, including travel to album release events and alcohol use. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026 In online extremist communities, these events can become powerful tools for reinforcing group identity and attracting individuals who are searching for explanations or belonging. — Art Jipson, The Conversation, 20 Aug. 2026 The sums are vast, but the explanations for the spending range from vague to inscrutable. — Jesse Coburn, ProPublica, 19 Aug. 2026 The analysis, authored by ECB economists and financial researchers, looked at two explanations for the AI financial bubble. — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 19 Aug. 2026 The senators also noted that grants were canceled out of the blue with form letters, which had contradictory explanations and incorrect citations. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 18 Aug. 2026 Gradually developing facial hair, acne or scalp-hair thinning can have noncancerous explanations. — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 18 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for explanations

Noun

One may reasonably surmise that the city’s corporation counsel is weighing whether Bally’s contract interpretations need to be decided by a judge.

— Joe Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
The result is a sprawling theory combining paranoid interpretations of current events with historical conspiracies.

— Matthew N. Hannah, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of interpretations

Noun

This increase happens for two reasons — both tied to the fact that El Niño is characterized by warmer than average ocean temperatures in the equatorial tropical Pacific Ocean.

— Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
Less than a week after our Zoom conversation with Knapp, an unrelated Good Good collab went viral for all of the wrong reasons.

— Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of reasons

Noun

Written by Colin Meloy, best known as the frontman of the band The Decemberists, the book featured illustrations from his wife and children’s book illustrator, Carson Ellis.

— Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 19 Aug. 2026
Each volume is accompanied by black-and-white illustrations, poetry and new cover artwork.

— Mya Copeland, Variety, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of illustrations

Noun

In May 2026, oral arguments were held before the Fouth Circuit Court of Appeals.

— Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 25 Aug. 2026
Opening arguments started last week in the landmark trial against Meta that’s being co-led by California Attorney General Rob Bonta and the AGs from Colorado, New Jersey and Kentucky.

— Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of arguments

Noun

What Premier League clubs have shifted away from is — and apologies for the bluntness here — tolerating goalkeepers who aren’t good enough at saving shots.

— Michael Cox, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Warm weather can mean sweaty feet (apologies for the visual), but breathable sneakers aren’t just useful for beating the heat.

— Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of apologies

Noun

Idaho allows exemptions for medical, religious or other reasons, and medical justifications account for very few of those exemptions, according to data from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.

— Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 21 Aug. 2026
At the center lies carceral safety politics—logics that turn fears of violence into justifications for punitive responses.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of justifications

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explanation

explanations

explanative

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“Explanations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explanations. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of explanations

noun

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