as in interpretive
serving to explain
a dearth of explicative material to help the layman understand the difficult subject matter
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Example Sentences
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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
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
-
Not only is the castle open to explore with interpretive panels for guidance, but the surrounding grounds offer excellent hiking trails, picnic areas, and great bird-watching, too, for the kind of refined outdoor adventure that never goes out of style.—
Jacqueline Kehoe,
Midwest Living,
22 Apr. 2026
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The answer is probably the former, but the album’s accumulation of lines like this is enough to throw you a bit, to let in a minor interpretive shift that changes the song’s whole meaning.—
Sadie Sartini Garner,
Pitchfork,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Emmie’s condition is an interpretative riddle for both her parents and the reader.—
Giles Harvey,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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Will the academy troll Chalamet (and the rest of us) with an interpretative dance performance?—
Glenn Whipp,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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That’s illustrative, not guaranteed, and real returns will vary with market conditions.—
Allison Palmer,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 Apr. 2026
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But last night was illustrative of his season so far.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Read’s book is a great explanatory account of the industry, connecting big, nebulous ideas like neoliberalism to actual concrete things.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The Associated Press receives support from Charles Schwab Foundation for educational and explanatory reporting to improve financial literacy.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Explicative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explicative. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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