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
Also in the mix is CarMax, which will serve as the title sponsor of the self-explanatory NBA on Prime Pregame, while Wayfair will provide the matching bookend at the end of the night with its NBA Nightcap deal.
—
Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 8 Oct. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for self-explanatory
Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 8 Oct. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for self-explanatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-explanatory
Adjective
-
At the most obvious level, of course.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Jan. 2026
-
But her agent at GSE Worldwide represents all three of the other FP Movement tennis players, Sloane Stephens, Danielle Collins, and Sofia Kenin, which made for an easy and obvious transition.—
Jessica Schiffer,
Vogue,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Mario Kart has to work as an entry point to gaming, something slow and comprehensible enough for your grandma to pick up.—
Ryan Gaur,
Rolling Stone,
19 Nov. 2025
-
That’s the novelist within the essayist, who loves a metaphor and senses that a metaphor will tend to be more comprehensible to the general reader than a thousand pages of closely argued Thomas Piketty.—
Zadie Smith,
New Yorker,
22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The celebrations felt fairly muted for each of Chelsea’s goals, but given this was a game Chelsea were expected to win, that is perhaps understandable.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
12 Jan. 2026
-
That question may be understandable and its implications concerning.—
Dewardric L. McNeal,
CNBC,
11 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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When Hunter arrives at our table in a sleek black skirt, her warmth toward Rosta is immediately evident.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Sirianni’s loyalty to his staff, beyond his two internal offensive coordinator promotions, is evident.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Two people suffered life-threatening injuries and a suspect has been arrested in connection with an apparent stabbing in San Francisco on Saturday evening, police said.—
Brandon Downs,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
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For many of the previous 120 days, Tara tells Thomas what is happening to her, and convinces him of her situation through her apparent clairvoyance.—
John Warner,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Look for urea-free fertilizer that helps the plant absorb nitrogen more efficiently, and make sure to flush out the potting medium with plain water each month to prevent salt buildup that can harm the roots.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The goats prefer their trees plain.—
Noel Brennan,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The hatch closure livestream could be a rather straightforward affair, with live video showing views of the astronauts entering the Dragon capsule, shutting the hatch and reporting down to Mission Control.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
15 Jan. 2026
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As preteens enter puberty, their faces may need a more straightforward product to target acne.—
Katrina Cossey,
Parents,
15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
This simple design works well once the engine is already moving very fast.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Do this simple test to find out if your soil is ready.—
Barbara Gillette,
The Spruce,
15 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-explanatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-explanatory. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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