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
-
Another obvious, simple solution is just to chill out.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
-
One obvious example is the use of modular, prefabricated components to quickly and relatively cheaply build housing.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 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
-
There’s a lot of anger on the show — often, the very understandable result of the situations the characters find themselves in.—
Dave Itzkoff,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Being nervous about a step like this is totally understandable.—
Bill Gurley,
Fortune,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Ri’s process is evident in the surfaces themselves — scratched, layered, built up, and worn down.—
Olga Garcia-Mayoral,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Wilson’s Defense of Batula Amid Kyle Cooke Drama Wilson’s closeness to Batula was already evident to viewers this season, particularly during a tense on‑camera argument between Batula and Cooke that escalated late one night.—
Jenni Fink,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Some are not much more apparent than a telephone pole.—
Jeffrey Marlow,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
-
What wasn't hidden was their apparent glee.—
Peter Van Sant,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
This is plain weaponization of the FBI for partisan political purposes.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Great effort has been made to transform what is ordinarily a plain, beige room into a festive space.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Requiring hours of collaboration and complex coding, the 1976 animation is, conversely, one of Bettina’s most visually straightforward objects.—
Katherine Rochester,
Artforum,
1 Apr. 2026
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While that sounds straightforward, the real value lies in its layered rewards system, which introduces additional earning opportunities as well as complications.—
Katherine Fan,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Build buffer time, trim one commitment, then return to the itinerary with even gentler expectations and a simpler packing list.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
2 Apr. 2026
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Parents, guardians, aunts and uncles don't have time to read every book on the shelf while trying to pick something for the young reader in their life, so here are some simple ways to determine if a book is suitable for that child.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-explanatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-explanatory. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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