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
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
Still, even when the benefits are self-explanatory, cutting ties is easier said than done, as shown by this statistic.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 9 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for self-explanatory
Christopher Cann, USA Today, 23 Feb. 2026
Still, even when the benefits are self-explanatory, cutting ties is easier said than done, as shown by this statistic.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 9 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for self-explanatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-explanatory
Adjective
-
Make kind choices and keep boundaries obvious.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Apr. 2026
-
That said, the presence of companies concerned with defense, security, and sensitive radar systems among the apparent ultimate targets raises obvious red flags.—
Jessica Klein,
PC Magazine,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Dahl’s revulsion at the violence committed in Israel’s name is at once comprehensible, in and of itself, and rooted in Dahl’s set of antisemitic beliefs.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
24 Mar. 2026
-
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
Adjective
-
Verstappen is frustrated, and that’s understandable behavior for a four-time F1 champ.—
Jerry Perez,
The Drive,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Both employ understandable language in their help files, too.—
Kathy Yakal,
PC Magazine,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
This season was too miserable, and this club was too far below any reasonable standard to deny the long-evident reality that a full, disciplined rebuild is now an absolute necessity.—
Thomas Drance,
New York Times,
15 Apr. 2026
-
In their video announcing the show’s ending, Hadel and Cusack emphasized that these episodes are not a proper finale of any sort, and that’s very evident from watching them.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
That said, the presence of companies concerned with defense, security, and sensitive radar systems among the apparent ultimate targets raises obvious red flags.—
Jessica Klein,
PC Magazine,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The following year, Salling died at age 35 of an apparent suicide.—
James Mercadante,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Athmile Loose Fit T-shirt as the elevated answer to a plain white tee.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Anyone who doesn’t believe Lamar Jackson bears the pressure to fulfill his greatness with a Super Bowl ring is kidding themselves, NFL history and plain logic.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
13 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
For Shaina Wilkins, justice is straightforward.—
Ash-har Quraishi,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
This straightforward set-up lays the groundwork for a moving, and often anxiety-inducing, investigation of language, empathy, and miscommunication.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Both include full integration of the climate controls into the screen, requiring more concentration to use and additional steps to make adjustments previously accomplished by pressing a simple button.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Scientists at Florida International University are developing a drug compound known as CTS2444-32, designed to reach deep brain regions affected by Parkinson's through a simple nasal delivery system.—
Ted Scouten,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-explanatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-explanatory. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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