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 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 His explanatory presentation to his viewing audience acts as a kind of speed-of-sound introduction to the comic book family's lore, and there's a nice bookending bit at the conclusion, too. Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 27 July 2025 The stop-work order was resolved within 24 hours through an explanatory telephone call. Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 20 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
  • Company examples are provided for illustrative purposes only.
    Roomy Khan, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • This illustrative image shows antennas of the former Short Wave Issuing Center of Radio Nacional de Espana in Arganda Del Rey, near Madrid on April 1, 2023.
    Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025

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“Explanatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explanatory. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.

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