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
-
The landmark interpretive center, which opened to the public in 1994, is a hub for education on the Devonian period.—
Leo Bertucci,
Louisville Courier Journal,
25 Oct. 2025
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However, the Department of the Interior ordered that the NPS keep roads, trails, and landscapes open to the public, even while visitor centers, interpretive programs, and many services have been shuttered.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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On the one hand, Cantore is illustrative of how Juventus operate in talent identification and development.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
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The Westmoreland sale is illustrative of growing urban encroachment on farmland in Mecklenburg County and North Carolina as the population continues to exponentially grow.—
Desiree Mathurin,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The BoE's high-level system-wide explanatory scenario, which is expected to take between nine and 12 months, will engage with a number of private market firms.—
Hugh Leask,
CNBC,
24 Oct. 2025
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The Associated Press receives support from Charles Schwab Foundation for educational and explanatory reporting to improve financial literacy.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Explicative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explicative. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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