as in interpretive
serving to explain
an expository piece on the workings of the internal-combustion engine
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Recent Examples of expository
The film is obvious in telegraphing its spooky sequences and its expository ones.
—
J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 3 Sep. 2025
But the artifacts of the New Literalism seem to embrace mediation, even to double down on it with their supplementary signposts, historical snapshots, and expository tics.
—Namwali Serpell, The New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2025
The first couple episodes begin with ominous cold opens new to the material, tackling the expository scientific explanation for the horrors to come in clever ways.
—A.a. Dowd, Chron, 10 Jan. 2023
Part of that can be attributed to the tendency to tidy up Big Conversations with pat remarks and swift expository dialogue.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Dec. 2022
See All Example Sentences for expository
J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 3 Sep. 2025
But the artifacts of the New Literalism seem to embrace mediation, even to double down on it with their supplementary signposts, historical snapshots, and expository tics.
—Namwali Serpell, The New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2025
The first couple episodes begin with ominous cold opens new to the material, tackling the expository scientific explanation for the horrors to come in clever ways.
—A.a. Dowd, Chron, 10 Jan. 2023
Part of that can be attributed to the tendency to tidy up Big Conversations with pat remarks and swift expository dialogue.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Dec. 2022
See All Example Sentences for expository
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expository
Adjective
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The concentration of so much interpretive power in one proprietary system raises questions that extend well beyond marketing claims.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
9 Feb. 2026
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This followed the 500th large-group interpretive dance number of the evening, featuring dozens of performers in polyurethane suits doing movement set to a spoken word about how war is, actually, bad.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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There are various interpretative signs and points of interest along the way, including famous Creek Street and both Ketchikan museums.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
9 Jan. 2026
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With her powerful voice and hypnotic interpretative quality, Peluso seems tailor-made for this.—
Sigal Ratner-Arias,
Billboard,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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In broader terms, the summer of 2023 is quite illustrative.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
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This information including any specific securities mentioned is for educational, entertainment and illustrative purposes only and not a recommendation or solicitation to purchase or sell any individual security.—
David Thomas,
Forbes.com,
20 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Expository.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expository. Accessed 13 Feb. 2026.
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