as in obvious
easy to understand without explanation
a self-explanatory phrase The chapter titles of the book are self-explanatory.
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Recent Examples of self-explanatory
Light switches, which have been self-explanatory since the dawn of electric lighting, apparently now come as an unlabeled multibutton panel that literally required a tutorial session from a technician.
—
Jason Fried, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2026
The product is fairly self-explanatory and easy to navigate.
—Scott Kramer, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Train Your Team is self-explanatory, since human error is a major vulnerability, as seen in the First American Financial Corp Data Leak and others.
—Charlotte Observer, 27 Jan. 2026
The name in itself is fairly self-explanatory — huggies are small hoop earrings that wrap snugly around the earlobe.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-explanatory
Jason Fried, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2026
The product is fairly self-explanatory and easy to navigate.
—Scott Kramer, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Train Your Team is self-explanatory, since human error is a major vulnerability, as seen in the First American Financial Corp Data Leak and others.
—Charlotte Observer, 27 Jan. 2026
The name in itself is fairly self-explanatory — huggies are small hoop earrings that wrap snugly around the earlobe.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-explanatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-explanatory
Adjective
-
Add to the Compost Pile Sending banana peels to the compost bin is the easiest—and perhaps most obvious—way to use them.—
Michelle Mastro,
Martha Stewart,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Targets at safety It’s become obvious that this year’s safety draft class has the chance to produce a good amount of quality starters.—
Joseph Hoyt,
Dallas Morning News,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Davis is wry and quietly defiant of stereotype, her Elaine’s composure hard-won and her sacrifice of certain kinds of sympathy fully comprehensible.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Just as astronomers assign visible colors to otherwise invisible wavelengths to make images comprehensible, sonification gives numerical data distinct sonic qualities.—
Samantha Mathewson,
Space.com,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Those reactions are not only understandable.—
Adam Benzine,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Mar. 2026
-
This is a downgrade for the beloved trackpad, but an understandable place to cut costs on the Neo.—
Matthew Buzzi,
PC Magazine,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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That restraint was evident during Iran’s conflict with Israel last year and subsequent US aerial attacks, when China similarly only offered rhetorical support.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
4 Mar. 2026
-
The in-demand event planner and lifestyle expert, who’s put on shindigs for celebs like Elton John, Jennifer Lopez, and Matthew McConaughey, has put his own spin on the seven-bedroom manse, evident in touches like a bedroom with textured gold wallpaper and a floral-print laundry room.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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And yet what’s readily apparent is that this weird, fragile, insular family is genuinely keen on folding Tommy into their lives.—
Robert Abele,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
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Officers then began taking apart the tank, which was not factory standard, and discovered the woman lying in a puddle of gasoline, appearing disoriented and suffering from apparent chemical burns to her legs and feet; she was taken to a hospital for medical evaluation, treated and quickly released.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
This would transform anything from plain cabbage to noodles.—
Jolene Thym,
Mercury News,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Swap plain runners for patterned or textured styles for a polished finish.—
Sarah Lyon,
The Spruce,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Also, the device parts are affordable and straightforward.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Mar. 2026
-
The treatments are straightforward—body scrubs, massages, facials in any combination.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Steel-ball tree The new invention includes simple parts, such as a hollow cylinder packed with solid steel balls and a central shaft lined with radial, branch-like rods.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Mar. 2026
-
January 20 – February 18 When purpose meets resources, progress becomes simple.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-explanatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-explanatory. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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