as in obvious
easy to understand without explanation
a self-explanatory phrase The chapter titles of the book are self-explanatory.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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
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
Some of them, like the washtub, are fairly self-explanatory.
—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Feb. 2026
The word bombogenesis is a combination of cyclogenesis, which describes the formation of a cyclone or storm, and bomb, which is pretty self-explanatory.
—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-explanatory
Josh Feldman,
NBC news,
1 Apr. 2026
This one is pretty self-explanatory.
—
Katie Grant,
Parents,
4 Mar. 2026
Some of them, like the washtub, are fairly self-explanatory.
—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Feb. 2026
The word bombogenesis is a combination of cyclogenesis, which describes the formation of a cyclone or storm, and bomb, which is pretty self-explanatory.
—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-explanatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-explanatory
Adjective
-
But what feels most haunting about the arc of then to now, about Smith’s unfathomable issues and woes — yet obvious heart and particularly evident quest to find himself in recent years — is that his words then were spoken with a sense of arrival and past tense.
-
Look in the most obvious places first.
Adjective
-
Suddenly, Marjane succumbing to sorrow became achingly comprehensible.
-
Kids will get the messages that Plensa espouses as quickly as adults, but this work is an easy, comprehensible introduction to how artists work, using surprising materials in inventive ways to make viewers consider the world differently.
Adjective
-
That instinct is understandable.
-
Meta’s plan to avoid the cash component is understandable, given that real-money betting is largely prohibited in some of its biggest markets, such as India, Indonesia, and Brazil.
Adjective
-
Eiglarsh added that while the suffering of the families was evident throughout the trial, the defense successfully argued that the crash was a tragic accident.
-
As part of this shift, Cuban officers are opting to train soldiers in guerrilla tactics rather than conventional warfare — a strategic departure corroborated by Cancian that is also evident in the footage.
Adjective
-
Less than two years after an infant girl died of apparent starvation in Mesquite, the child's parents pleaded guilty to a lesser crime and received lengthy prison sentences.
-
The Sox announced after the game that Sean Newcomb will be the opener Saturday in an apparent bullpen game.
Adjective
-
As one of Quince’s best-sellers, this soft T-shirt is a luxe swap for a plain cotton tee.
-
The Federal Emergency Management Agency develops and updates maps that determine who’s in a flood plain and must buy insurance, and to help communities plan.
Adjective
-
When asked what works to prevent the chaotic scenes that sometimes dominate news coverage, the youths had a straightforward answer.
-
While embryo screening carries relatively less ethical baggage than embryo editing, even screening alone is not always ethically straightforward.
Adjective
-
The questions Campbell needs to answer are simple.
-
Get inspired by a weekly roundup on living well, made simple.
Cite this Entry
“Self-explanatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-explanatory. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
