SELF-EXPLANATORY Synonyms: 111 Similar and Opposite Words

self-explanatory

adjective

Definition of self-explanatory

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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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 self-explanatory While settings like Normal and Delicates are fairly self-explanatory, the Heavy Duty cycle often leaves people guessing. — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 2 June 2026 The skit was fairly self-explanatory, as Ferrell portrayed Trebek while asking simple questions to struggling celebrities. — Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 17 May 2026 The American Civil Liberties Union, which is leading the challenge to the executive order, argues the text of the 14th Amendment is largely self-explanatory. — Josh Feldman, NBC news, 1 Apr. 2026 This one is pretty self-explanatory. — Katie Grant, Parents, 4 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for self-explanatory

Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-explanatory

Adjective

From a distance, the color nearly blended with Anderson’s skin; the height became considerably more obvious in profile.

— Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 30 July 2026
In its rush to chase clicks, the league publicly showcased a wager that appeared to raise obvious questions under its own CBA.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2026

Definition of obvious

Adjective

In fact, the film’s story would still be comprehensible if its few subtitles were removed (one of Murnau’s earlier silents — 1924’s The Last Laugh — has no titles whatsoever).

— Tim Page, The Washington Examiner, 25 July 2026
Like a lot of your work, the joke underscoring this new song and video is incredibly niche and also evidently instantly comprehensible to millions of people.

— David Mack, CNN Money, 22 July 2026

Definition of comprehensible

Adjective

Abdelkarim’s humility is as evident as his youth, which is reflected in a few traces of teenage acne on his cheeks and a shy smile typical of someone who isn’t used to being the focus of media attention.

— Laia Cervelló Herrero, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026
The 21-year-old is already the most successful Filipino tennis player in history, and her popularity among flag-waving fans has been evident all week.

— Bailey Johnson, Washington Post, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of evident

Adjective

Never has that been more apparent than on petal, the star’s eighth studio album and her first to release via her own imprint, BabyDoll Music, as a subsidiary of Republic.

— Aimee Cliff, Pitchfork, 31 July 2026
Initially, authorities said there were no apparent indications of foul play and that Wells could have drowned, noting the area is known for its dangerous rip currents.

— Adam England, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026

Definition of apparent

Adjective

For instance, a plain English muffin typically contains about 120 to 150 calories, while a standard plain bagel often has 250 to 350 calories.

— Daryl Austin, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026
The fiber slows digestion, which can blunt the blood sugar spike that plain lemonade would normally cause.

— Sarah Anzlovar, Verywell Health, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of plain

Adjective

But its effect on us humans — and our lives and economies — isn’t straightforward.

— Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
If future commercial deployments deliver similar results, the architecture could provide customers with a straightforward path from hundreds of kilowatts to several megawatts without fundamentally changing the underlying system.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of straightforward

Adjective

Abernathy Greenway Park walk with Trees Atlanta Take a walk through the park with a Trees Atlanta docent, who will teach simple tricks for telling trees apart and share stories about why trees are important and how to protect them.

— Mary Caldwell, AJC.com, 4 Aug. 2026
The Oldest Person in the World takes an ostensibly simple premise and explores its deeper resonance.

— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of simple

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“Self-explanatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-explanatory. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of self-explanatory

adjective

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