Synonyms of interpretation

interpretation

noun

in-ˌtər-prə-ˈtā-shən 

1

as in explanation

a statement that makes something clear

that's one possible interpretation of that cryptic remark

Synonyms & Similar Words

• explanation
• illustration
• translation
• analysis
• definition
• construction
• exegesis
• reasoning
• clarification
• explication
• elucidation
• exposition
• illumination
• demonstration
• road map
• comment
• commentary
• meaning
• restatement
• paraphrase
• justification
• annotation
• decoding
• rationale
• gloss
• deciphering
• enactment
• enlightenment
• rationalization
• edification
• epexegesis
• warning
• caveat
• disentanglement
• unscrambling
• caution

2

as in version

a presentation of an artistic work (as a piece of music) from a particular point of view

a sensitive interpretation of a piece that is a touchstone for violinists

Synonyms & Similar Words

• version
• rendition
• performance
• reading
• adaptation
• account
• variation
• reworking

3

as in variation

a distinct treatment of something (as a story or a play)

a very Freudian interpretation of The Nutcracker

Synonyms & Similar Words

• variation
• version
• take
• translation
• riff
• adaptation

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of interpretation

But the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction said that interpretation does not reflect what happened, The Charlotte Observer reported previously, saying Brown was not released early at all. — Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 21 Sep. 2026

Oakley has directed a new interpretation of the book, starring Daisy Edgar-Jones as the sensible Elinor Dashwood and Esmé Creed-Miles as her more emotive sister, Marianne. — Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026

The court rejected Kalshi’s broad interpretation of the Commodity Exchange Act and upheld an order allowing Nevada to enforce its gambling regulations against Kalshi’s sports event contracts. — Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2026

The National Park Service is revising interpretations at its sites to offer an upbeat rendering of human bondage, if slavery is mentioned at all. — Drew Gilpin Faust, The New York Review of Books, 19 Sep. 2026