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
Fine, well, what about the self-explanatory More Money Than Sense by Lord Kitchener?
—
Tim Spiers, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
The photograph—one of a series of some 52 large and 101 smaller stereo views Gardner made around the fort—appears as a seemingly self-explanatory illustration in books about the Indian Wars.
—Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2025
The last two are is pretty self-explanatory, but the gripper is a little more interesting.
—New Atlas, 11 Sep. 2025
Some of these are self-explanatory.
—Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-explanatory
Tim Spiers, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
The photograph—one of a series of some 52 large and 101 smaller stereo views Gardner made around the fort—appears as a seemingly self-explanatory illustration in books about the Indian Wars.
—Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2025
The last two are is pretty self-explanatory, but the gripper is a little more interesting.
—New Atlas, 11 Sep. 2025
Some of these are self-explanatory.
—Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-explanatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-explanatory
Adjective
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One obvious reason for my interest in the movie, then, was that Walter Matthau reminded me, a little bit, of my father.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
-
There are good pieces in place, but replacing or re-signing Bregman seems to be an obvious offseason priority, and another impact starter would certainly help.—
Stephen J. Nesbitt,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The idea is to make worker feedback less intimidating for companies by turning it into easily comprehensible data and action items.—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Aug. 2025
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In the lab, Goldie’s thoughts circled and surrounded the minutiae of analysis and computation, sorted microscopic comparisons, developed overviews that laid out sequences and processes logically and accurately in theories not otherwise comprehensible.—
Annie Proulx,
New Yorker,
10 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Still not quite right, though understandable.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Feelings of frustration over another potentially good, yet not great, season are understandable.—
Quentin Corpuel,
Kansas City Star,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Office attire’s comeback was evident in Working for It, a theme centered on sculptural structure and nods to the ’80s.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
31 Oct. 2025
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This was evident in Indiana's capital city, when Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Chief Chris Bailey announced that his department lacked the authority to enforce federal immigration laws, a move backed by the city's police union.—
Noe Padilla,
IndyStar,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The image quickly drew astonishment and amusement from Reddit users, who could not believe the apparent lack of awareness—or concern—by the neighbors responsible.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
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Toklas went on to fiercely uphold the author’s legacy, honoring Stein’s apparent desire to be understood while at the same time respecting her equally strong wish to remain elusive.—
Daphne Merkin,
The Atlantic,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Freshly caught fish often hang in plain sight, and the selection changes so frequently that a whiteboard keeps track of what’s available.—
Aaron Randolph,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Nov. 2025
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To create your own, write a name on a plain paper gift tag.—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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There’s a timelessness to these spaces, but the feelings the images evoke are more nuanced and uneasy than straightforward nostalgia.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
25 Oct. 2025
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The process to reimagine the Wild West in the 21st Century wasn’t always straightforward, Dow said.—
David Caraccio,
Sacbee.com,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
While House Republicans can pass legislation with a simple majority vote, Senate Republicans cannot advance most matters without meeting a 60-vote threshold.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Oct. 2025
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But in stoppage time, Miami was gifted a third goal when Jordi Alba crossed from the left and keeper Willis, colliding with defender Walker Zimmerman, spilled the ball right to Messi, who had the simplest of tap-ins.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-explanatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-explanatory. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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