Thesaurus results for EXPLICATIVE

explicative

adjective

ek-ˈspli-kə-tiv

Definition of explicative

as in interpretive

serving to explain a dearth of explicative material to help the layman understand the difficult subject matter

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 explicative While Clarkson was amazed by her skills, Parton was able to slip in an explicative on daytime television. — Vulture, 21 Dec. 2022 Much of the dialogue is obvious and explicative; young Bode sometimes sounds like a middle-aged professor. — Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2020 There are periodic explicative orations about the state of the nation. — Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 1 Nov. 2019 Video posted on the Twitter feed of Robin Bell shows the explicative term in question emblazoned across the wall of the hotel, backed by a cascade of poop emojis. — Michelle Hunter, NOLA.com, 14 Jan. 2018

Recent Examples of Synonyms for explicative

Adjective

Cadet will work with architect Rodney Leon, who is also of Haitian descent, and who will advise on the interpretive writing and symbolic elements of the statue and its lighting and siting.

— Adam Harrington, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026
One-on-one, face-to-face discussions trigger key interpretive understandings that are authentic to each stakeholder.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of interpretive

Adjective

The effects of such abstemiousness are less clear, though a pair of new movies point in two very different interpretative directions.

— Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026
The nonprofit is dedicated to promoting forest conservation efforts through exhibits, with interpretative trails around the site that venture through lush forest canopies.

— Molly Allen, Travel + Leisure, 27 June 2026

Definition of interpretative

Adjective

These examples are illustrative of the fact that athletes already take their fertility and menstrual cycles into consideration, Carson says.

— Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 18 Aug. 2026
The stunning indictment of Jackson County Executive Phil LeVota last week marked another illustrative example of the position’s outsized power, according to one top lawmaker.

— Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of illustrative

Adjective

And now, in perhaps the most ridiculous and explanatory example of the league's fandom, has seen her name banned from the WNBA subreddit.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 Aug. 2026
The mods think Reddit might have designated the website—and thus any post using its content for explanatory illustrations—as spam.

— Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of explanatory

Browse Nearby Words

explications

explicative

explicatory

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“Explicative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explicative. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of explicative

adjective

Example Sentences

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