SPELL OUT Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

spell out

verb

Definition of spell out

as in to explain

to make plain or understandable the dating applicant spelled out exactly what she wanted in a man

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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 spell out Here, our pest-control experts spell out exactly how to use baking soda to kill roaches and explain its limitations. — Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 16 Aug. 2026 The commission’s unanimous approval Friday made several changes to the plan but left alone the future acreages spelled out in it. — David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026 As Boot noted to me, the president would not even spell out the word hell in his own diaries. — Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2026 The types of crimes weren’t spelled out, but imagine that a President, say, poisoned his estranged spouse and concealed the crime until after leaving the White House. — Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spell out

Recent Examples of Synonyms for spell out

Verb

Lanterns wastes little time explaining this backstory ad nauseam and instead creates an immediately inviting dynamic between him and Hal, who comes to him demanding information on Manhunters.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
Cieloween explained that the moves shown by participants vary widely.

— Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of explain

Verb

As illustrated in this chart, following the outbreak of the Middle East conflict in late February, both WTI crude oil prices and US retail gas prices surged in tandem.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
The agreement also illustrates a challenge facing advanced nuclear developers.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of illustrate

Verb

The South Korean auteur has directed six movies since 1997, each one demonstrating his literary sensibilities and keen eye for capturing human despair.

— Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 26 Aug. 2026
The next step is demonstrating consistent color removal and fiber-quality retention at larger scale, with chemical consumption, wastewater quality and process control among the principal scale-up considerations.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of demonstrate

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spelling out

spell out

spells

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Style

“Spell out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spell%20out. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of spell out

verb

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