Definition of explanativenext
as in interpretive
serving to explain an edition of Melville's novel that could use more explanative footnotes about whaling

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for explanative
Adjective
  • Instead of creating clarity, the reply creates a small interpretive burden.
    Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
  • Governments play a role in providing the information and of interpretive frameworks relied on by journalists.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May 2026
Adjective
  • Emmie’s condition is an interpretative riddle for both her parents and the reader.
    Giles Harvey, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Will the academy troll Chalamet (and the rest of us) with an interpretative dance performance?
    Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The 25–75 basis point range should be read as an illustrative stress test, not as a point estimate derived from a structural model.
    Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026
  • Ephemera is so often illustrative of the inner life of a character, a direct, beating correlative of the contents of their hearts.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
Adjective
  • The strangest glitch was the way the supposedly reddish color of the opening and closing words of Blade Runner 2049’s opening explanatory text took on a distinctly brown tone.
    John Archer, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
  • His work blends data-visualization with explanatory graphics and motion graphics, covering everything from breaking news to politics to sports.
    Rick Jervis, USA Today, 13 May 2026
Adjective
  • Hybrid lanterns that meet the aforementioned criteria are indeed out there, waiting to illuminate your next campsite, glamping trip, picnic, late-night reading session, or simply to add a little illuminative flare to that embarrassingly barren bookshelf in time for the next Zoom meeting.
    J.D. Simkins, Sunset Magazine, 17 Feb. 2022
  • Along the way, Robbins spices his story through illuminative moments and mini-biographies.
    OregonLive.com, OregonLive.com, 14 Oct. 2017
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.

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“Explanative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explanative. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.

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