as in obvious
easy to understand without explanation
a self-explanatory phrase The chapter titles of the book are self-explanatory.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
This one's charms feel self-explanatory: Who isn't at least a little fascinated by witchcraft?
—
Colin Dwyer, NPR, 11 Mar. 2025
On Loading Basic loading is pretty self-explanatory.
—Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 16 Feb. 2025
Pass interference – a foul that has derailed many great passing plays – is at the most basic level self-explanatory.
—Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 14 Feb. 2025
The six players Booth had in mind were self-explanatory: Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun and Russell Westbrook.
—Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-explanatory
Colin Dwyer, NPR, 11 Mar. 2025
On Loading Basic loading is pretty self-explanatory.
—Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 16 Feb. 2025
Pass interference – a foul that has derailed many great passing plays – is at the most basic level self-explanatory.
—Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 14 Feb. 2025
The six players Booth had in mind were self-explanatory: Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun and Russell Westbrook.
—Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-explanatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-explanatory
Adjective
-
Hague lamented the rush to reach a deal in the absence of any obvious pressure on Russia but with an intense focus on obtaining for the U.S. the mineral wealth of Ukraine.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Apr. 2025
-
With such a depleted draft stash, the Bucks don't have any obvious levers to pull to help bolster their supporting cast alongside Antetokounmpo and Lillard.—
Bryan Toporek,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
An example would be upstream CX changes that help eliminate downstream, cost-inflating customer inquiries (e.g., better product assembly instructions, clearer and more comprehensible invoices, more seamless product return procedures, and even just better expectation-setting at point-of-sale).—
Jon Picoult,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
-
For patients to benefit fully from AI, there must be clear and comprehensible explanations of how these systems work and how they are evaluated.—
Rob El Kareh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Clark's influence on the popularity of women's basketball over the last year has been evident in various statistics.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
17 Apr. 2025
-
Political representatives are sensitive to elections, as is evident in the close races in Florida on April 1.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The state Department of Environmental Conservation and the city DEP both cited the MTA earlier this month when an apparent overflow in the depot’s sewage ejection pit ran off into nearby storm drains, spilling what DEC inspectors estimated to be 50 gallons of waste into the bay.—
Evan Simko-Bednarski,
New York Daily News,
27 Apr. 2025
-
Federal prosecutors also appeared to reveal today that Combs had rejected an apparent plea deal.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
This should be straightforward and create as little of a mess as possible.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
18 Apr. 2025
-
Her journey so far on Season 27 of the series has not been straightforward.—
Abby Hamblin,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Industry experts say some of the reasons are plain to see: Reports of detentions and deportations, including the weekslong lockup of European tourists, have sowed fears of bad experiences at the border.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
20 Apr. 2025
-
Amazon also has this plain pair without any blooms, although it’s still made with embroidery.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
People.com,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Will people be more open and accept that a simple, inexpensive date isn’t the sign of low effort but rather a reflection of the economy none of us asked for?—
Myisha Battle,
Time,
18 Apr. 2025
-
Its second life on streaming has guided new viewers to the simple charms of one of the best mystery shows of all time.—
Brian Tallerico,
Vulture,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The series’ take on the subscription-service economy is clear from the first episode.—
Emma Stefansky,
The Atlantic,
17 Apr. 2025
-
The email should be approximately 250 words, maintain a confident but not technical tone, emphasize the business benefits rather than technical specifications, and include a clear call to action for scheduling a demo.—
Caroline Castrillon,
Forbes.com,
17 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-explanatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-explanatory. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share