Synonym Chooser

How does the verb interpret contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of interpret are elucidate, explain, explicate, and expound. While all these words mean "to make something clear or understandable," interpret adds to explain the need for imagination or sympathy or special knowledge in dealing with something.

interpreting a work of art

When can elucidate be used instead of interpret?

The meanings of elucidate and interpret largely overlap; however, elucidate stresses the throwing of light upon as by offering details or motives previously unclear or only implicit.

elucidate an obscure passage

When would explain be a good substitute for interpret?

While the synonyms explain and interpret are close in meaning, explain implies a making plain or intelligible what is not immediately obvious or entirely known.

explain the rules

When is it sensible to use explicate instead of interpret?

In some situations, the words explicate and interpret are roughly equivalent. However, explicate adds the idea of a developed or detailed analysis.

explicate a poem

When might expound be a better fit than interpret?

The words expound and interpret can be used in similar contexts, but expound implies a careful often elaborate explanation.

expounding a scientific theory

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 interpret Various cultures interpreted the ephemeral aberrations as fairies, ghosts or spirits. Rachel Nuwer, Scientific American, 29 Sep. 2025 Purses are given the art treatment, with versions interpreted in wood, pebbles or even a flurry of paper flowers, created by the brand’s teams. Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025 Pre-bed exercise occurred rarely, so results should be interpreted cautiously. New Atlas, 28 Sep. 2025 While independent reviews have dismissed claims of FBI orchestration, Patel’s criticism of Wray keeps pressure on the bureau, and his contradictory comments to Trump's regarding January 6 highlight divisions within the Republican Party over how to interpret the events at the Capitol. Emma Marsden, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for interpret
Recent Examples of Synonyms for interpret
Verb
  • Reliever Luke Weaver melted down again, and then seemed lost trying to explain it postgame.
    Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
  • In the show, Gein strikes Henry with a piece of wood, then drags his body into the woods and stages a brush fire to explain Henry's death.
    JR Radcliffe, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In the Carmel area, the trail passes a cool play space and Midtown Plaza, where the family can play a little ping-pong or corn hole, grab a bite to eat, or just relax on the bench swings.
    Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
  • The Stars played their first eight seasons in Reunion Arena, located in downtown Dallas.
    Rob Rossi, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Officials from Line by Lion Publications also took to Facebook to dispel the rumors and clarify that Gilbert is in good care.
    Lillian Metzmeier, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Others echoed similar sentiments, demanding Parker clarify the meaning of her comment and apologize.
    Amanda McCoy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The Brewers ranked a more respectable 12th in slugging percentage, and some of their most dynamic hitters were either not performing or not yet on the team early in the season.
    Andy McCullough, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Swift performed an acoustic version of her song, invoking tears.
    Bryan West, USA Today, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Shot on location surrounded by her horses, the campaign illustrates elevated pieces designed for today’s modern wardrobe, and shows Springsteen in her truest from.
    Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2025
  • These statistics illustrate the trend of how Americans are starting to delay major milestones like getting married, adopting a pet, buying a house, and having children for a wide variety of reasons, namely owing to inflation and the cost of living.
    Sydney Lake, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The White House has also continued to troll House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries with AI videos portraying Jeffries in a sombrero and fake mustache.
    Joey Garrison, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
  • In the musical, Levy portrays Mother, the matriarch of a wealthy white family, who discovers her self-confidence and independence.
    Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • By night, a small group of protesters – sometimes a dozen or fewer – have demonstrated outside the building.
    Conrad Wilson, NPR, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Western Hills demonstrated diversity in scoring by utilizing a variety of plays and players throughout the night to extend the lead.
    Elijah Flowers, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The line in Swift's song and The Life of a Showgirl's cover art appears to be inspired by a Victorian-era painting that depicts the scene in Hamlet when Ophelia goes crazy and falls into a stream and drowns after learning Hamlet killed her father.
    Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Stephen depicts the women’s schooltime bond in hypnotic flashbacks, and their separation largely through absence itself, with gliding, pensive shots of places—rooms, buildings, streets—where the women have been and may be again but which, onscreen, are vacant.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 2 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Interpret.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/interpret. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

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