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

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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

For something quieter, there’s a riverside interpretive trail along the Nenana.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2026
In the soft light of dawn, an Ohio tourist studied the interpretive sign at the summit of Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park, reading about how magma formed the ground under her feet.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of interpretive

Adjective

Another way this plays out in the book is in my analysis of how re-translators often echo or follow one another, rather than looking afresh at the interpretative possibilities of the originals.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of interpretative

Adjective

Statistics or dollar amounts are supported but illustrative, not promises.

— Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2026
The widespread response to the disaster is illustrative of the relationship between Nepal’s public and private sectors in this time of transition.

— Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of illustrative

Adjective

As the series continues, however, Kazan plays up the explanatory power of an incident from Cathy’s childhood.

— Alison Herman, Variety, 1 Oct. 2026
For a writer so given to cultural reference, intellectual genealogy, and various explanatory apparatuses, this failure of language is unexpectedly liberating to read.

— Zain Khalid, Vulture, 1 Oct. 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 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of explicative

adjective

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