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
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
Train Your Team is self-explanatory, since human error is a major vulnerability, as seen in the First American Financial Corp Data Leak and others.
—Charlotte Observer, 27 Jan. 2026
The name in itself is fairly self-explanatory — huggies are small hoop earrings that wrap snugly around the earlobe.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-explanatory
Jason Fried, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2026
The product is fairly self-explanatory and easy to navigate.
—Scott Kramer, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Train Your Team is self-explanatory, since human error is a major vulnerability, as seen in the First American Financial Corp Data Leak and others.
—Charlotte Observer, 27 Jan. 2026
The name in itself is fairly self-explanatory — huggies are small hoop earrings that wrap snugly around the earlobe.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-explanatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-explanatory
Adjective
-
While many people might use hair extensions without obvious problems, irritation is relatively common.—
Leah Asmelash,
CNN Money,
28 Feb. 2026
-
White checked all of those boxes and cemented himself as an obvious choice with a network of current donors, high-ranking business partners in Charlotte, as well as potential donors that Gaber hopes to convert.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Assistive listening studies report that bypassing room acoustics and delivering audio directly can improve signal‑to‑noise ratios by 15–20 dB, making announcements comprehensible and lectures clearer [8].—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Something essential was happening in the hard work of trying to make your thoughts comprehensible to another human being (even if that human being was just your teacher).—
Jake Lundberg,
The Atlantic,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Those reactions are not only understandable.—
Adam Benzine,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Mar. 2026
-
This is a downgrade for the beloved trackpad, but an understandable place to cut costs on the Neo.—
Matthew Buzzi,
PC Magazine,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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That restraint was evident during Iran’s conflict with Israel last year and subsequent US aerial attacks, when China similarly only offered rhetorical support.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
4 Mar. 2026
-
The in-demand event planner and lifestyle expert, who’s put on shindigs for celebs like Elton John, Jennifer Lopez, and Matthew McConaughey, has put his own spin on the seven-bedroom manse, evident in touches like a bedroom with textured gold wallpaper and a floral-print laundry room.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
For almost a year, the Saudis and other key members have been engaged in an apparent push to reclaim market share ceded in recent years to rivals such as US shale drillers.—
Salma El Wardany,
Fortune,
28 Feb. 2026
-
The extraordinary failure, in my opinion and in that of many others, of the responsible agent—the BBC—is now utterly apparent.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
28 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
This would transform anything from plain cabbage to noodles.—
Jolene Thym,
Mercury News,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Swap plain runners for patterned or textured styles for a polished finish.—
Sarah Lyon,
The Spruce,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Also, the device parts are affordable and straightforward.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Mar. 2026
-
The treatments are straightforward—body scrubs, massages, facials in any combination.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Steel-ball tree The new invention includes simple parts, such as a hollow cylinder packed with solid steel balls and a central shaft lined with radial, branch-like rods.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Mar. 2026
-
January 20 – February 18 When purpose meets resources, progress becomes simple.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-explanatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-explanatory. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.
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