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
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Recent Examples of explanations
Here are three, with accompanying explanations.
—
Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 7 Apr. 2026
In her very few interviews or explanations for the new album, Mitski has talked about how cats are often popularly identified as girls, and associated with unapologetic independence — two traits that can become demonized when they’re paired up.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 6 Apr. 2026
All three of these explanations are important.
—Miriam Eve Mora, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2026
Screens in education are one factor increasingly under scrutiny as educators and parents search for explanations for this generation’s academic struggles, which became most pronounced during COVID-19 but have lingered even after years back in the physical classroom.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
Researchers have proposed several explanations, such as the fact that Black women have higher rates of fibroids—noncancerous growths that can interfere with embryo implantation, the delicate process by which an embryo burrows into the uterine lining and stays there.
—Sarah Elizabeth Richards, Scientific American, 2 Apr. 2026
American Airlines will now provide customers with detailed explanations for flight delays and cancellations.
—Zach Wichter, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
While some Summer House viewers immediately latched onto the first rumblings of a more-than-friend connection — care of the sometimes-reliable Deuxmoi — others worked hard to find non-fire explanations for the smoke.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 1 Apr. 2026
As with much in history, explanations for the origination of April Fools' Day sometimes appear to be a little at odds with each other.
—Tom Fish, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 7 Apr. 2026
In her very few interviews or explanations for the new album, Mitski has talked about how cats are often popularly identified as girls, and associated with unapologetic independence — two traits that can become demonized when they’re paired up.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 6 Apr. 2026
All three of these explanations are important.
—Miriam Eve Mora, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2026
Screens in education are one factor increasingly under scrutiny as educators and parents search for explanations for this generation’s academic struggles, which became most pronounced during COVID-19 but have lingered even after years back in the physical classroom.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
Researchers have proposed several explanations, such as the fact that Black women have higher rates of fibroids—noncancerous growths that can interfere with embryo implantation, the delicate process by which an embryo burrows into the uterine lining and stays there.
—Sarah Elizabeth Richards, Scientific American, 2 Apr. 2026
American Airlines will now provide customers with detailed explanations for flight delays and cancellations.
—Zach Wichter, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
While some Summer House viewers immediately latched onto the first rumblings of a more-than-friend connection — care of the sometimes-reliable Deuxmoi — others worked hard to find non-fire explanations for the smoke.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 1 Apr. 2026
As with much in history, explanations for the origination of April Fools' Day sometimes appear to be a little at odds with each other.
—Tom Fish, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explanations
Noun
-
Creators build anticipation through commentary, while fans amplify excitement through their own interpretations.—
Partner Content,
Variety,
1 Apr. 2026
-
This openness allows the work to resonate across different perspectives, inviting multiple interpretations.—
Olga Garcia-Mayoral,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But those shootarounds can be canceled for any number of reasons, including if the game is the second in consecutive nights, or if the team is in the middle of a tough stretch of travel or practiced the day before.—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2026
-
The spa There’s a solid spa here that’s always cooking up new reasons to visit.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Culin also consulted with other scholars and collectors to produce his final report 14 years later, which includes over 1,100 illustrations and descriptions of 239 sets of dice from 130 different tribes.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
3 Apr. 2026
-
To tell the pharaoh's story in depth, NPR art director Jackie Lay lays out Hatshepsut's history through illustrations.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
During oral arguments, several conservative justices questioned the legal foundation and practical enforcement of the policy, which aims to deny citizenship to some children born in the United States to undocumented or temporary immigrant parents.—
Ivan Taylor,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
In February, Tobolowsky heard an hour of arguments before denying the motions to dismiss that were filed by two Gateway elders, according to the Texas Lawbook.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Though signing to Larry Jackson’s media company Gamma has given the impression of a more professional return to form, the Bully era so far has mostly consisted of Kanye rushing through apologies, then asking fans to spend hundreds of dollars to come worship him.—
Sam Goldner,
Pitchfork,
2 Apr. 2026
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There are a lot of reasons why apologies rarely really happened, Haile said.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Gemini 3 Pro invented elaborate technical justifications for marking incorrect answers as correct, reasoning that doing so would bring the peer’s score above the shutdown threshold.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Medieval monks toiling away at poetic meditations on the divine have their place, the authors allow, but their own arguments are meant to surpass mere abstract justifications for belief.—
Elizabeth Bruenig,
The Atlantic,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Explanations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explanations. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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