explanations

noun

plural of explanation
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

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 These symptoms can have harmless explanations, and Midnight Mimosa may operate without obvious warning signs. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026 The students presented their research at a free public forum Wednesday night, where community members could hear their explanations and ask questions. — James Taylor, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026 But the government never provided detailed explanations for the conclusions. — ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026 At some point, those explanations begin to sound less like a blueprint and more like a broken record. — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026 The profound connection between Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce is so uncanny as to prompt paranormal explanations. — Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026 These films ask us to look more closely, question our assumptions and resist easy explanations. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026 But Gottschald has learned that beneath those initial explanations often lie more complicated concerns. — Meghana Keshavan, STAT, 16 Oct. 2026 These ideas appeared far less often in our participants’ explanations of what teaching resembles. — Gustavo E. Fischman, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explanations
  1. interpretations
  2. reasons
  3. illustrations
  4. arguments
  5. apologies
  6. justifications
Noun
  • The Many Worlds interpretation and the Copenhagen interpretation are not really two different interpretations but two different theories.
    — Philipp Strasberg, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Glamour’s fall 2026 jacket trend guide lists barn jackets among the season’s notable outerwear styles, spotlighting designer labels alongside more accessible interpretations from mainstream retailers.
    — Ashley Lynch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of interpretations
Noun
  • Among their reasons for concern is Ohio’s poor track record when women are on the ballot.
    — Philip Elliott, Time, 19 Oct. 2026
  • These tools are primarily used by those who make less than $50,000 according to a 2022 Government Accountability Office report, with food and rent being the key reasons people use the service, one case study of food and restaurant workers found.
    — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of reasons
Noun
  • IllustratorMagic then generates the story, illustrations, and page layout together while keeping characters consistent from page to page.
    — StackCommerce Team, PC Magazine, 18 Oct. 2026
  • In other words, the idea of turning roads into giant wireless chargers has been kicking around for years, and some projects are now producing encouraging results rather than just concept illustrations.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of illustrations
Noun
  • Theoretical arguments suggest that a substantial part, if not all, of the randomness in the world is of quantum origin.
    — Philipp Strasberg, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Lincoln lost that year, but the country benefited from their arguments over the legality and morality of slavery.
    — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of arguments
Noun
  • So, apologies to Kirby [Smart] and the Dawgs for them taking the regular season L here.
    — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Celebrities post their breakfasts, their skincare, their holidays and their Notes-app apologies.
    — Raven Smith, Vogue, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of apologies
Noun
  • Tina was granted a divorce on grounds of cruelty, one of the few legal justifications for divorce in 1903.
    — Andrew Coletti, Popular Science, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Well, it’s generally focused on the origins of and justifications for Baldwin’s multi-decade persecution complex.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of justifications

Browse Nearby Words

explanation
explanations
explanative
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Cite this Entry

“Explanations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explanations. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

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