as in interpretative
serving to explain
the explanatory section has as its heading "What the New Tax Changes Mean"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 explanatory
Pallarés, though, thought this traditional idea lacked a bit of explanatory power.
—
Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 22 Aug. 2025
The curved, accessible walkways are clearly signed and more than one explanatory exhibit demonstrates the superiority of planting indigenous or highly adaptive plants.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Even in previous eras, doctors were quick to spot any indication of stress and nervousness in a patient and ascribe to it a certain explanatory power.
—Tom Zeller Jr.
july 30, Literary Hub, 30 July 2025
But when today’s racial achievement gaps are attributed to more nebulous forms of discrimination—like implicit bias in standardized testing—the explanatory force begins to wane.
—Idrees Kahloon, New Yorker, 28 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for explanatory
Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 22 Aug. 2025
The curved, accessible walkways are clearly signed and more than one explanatory exhibit demonstrates the superiority of planting indigenous or highly adaptive plants.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Even in previous eras, doctors were quick to spot any indication of stress and nervousness in a patient and ascribe to it a certain explanatory power.
—Tom Zeller Jr.
july 30, Literary Hub, 30 July 2025
But when today’s racial achievement gaps are attributed to more nebulous forms of discrimination—like implicit bias in standardized testing—the explanatory force begins to wane.
—Idrees Kahloon, New Yorker, 28 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for explanatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explanatory
Adjective
-
The back-up dancers captured interpretive elements of Carrión’s discography and demonstrated their skill and strength while performing gravity-defying breakdancing numbers and theatrical battle scenes.—
Rosy Alvarez,
Rolling Stone,
6 Sep. 2025
-
The pearl, in this analogy, is an interpretive reading.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The exercise itself is illustrative of an elevated standard.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
30 Sep. 2025
-
While demographers, economists and sociologists agree on the challenges the declining birth rate could bring, some have argued that is also illustrative of societal progress—namely choice.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Explanatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explanatory. Accessed 4 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share