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
  • One of the night’s earliest auditions came from a barefoot interpretive dancer named Aggy, who attempted to tell a story entirely through movement and body language.
    Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026
  • The 30th anniversary open house includes interpretive stations at locations around the prairie, with attendees invited to bike, drive or hike from each trailhead to learn about the bison project, prairie restoration and how grazing and agriculture help restoration efforts.
    Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 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
  • For illustrative purposes, this could be set at a ballpark figure of $1,500 to $2,000 per day of military duty.
    Robert Krasner, STAT, 1 June 2026
  • The examples provided are hypothetical and for illustrative purposes only.
    Wes Moss, Forbes.com, 27 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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Cite this Entry

“Explanative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explanative. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.

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