spell out

verb

Definition of spell outnext
as in to explain
to make plain or understandable the dating applicant spelled out exactly what she wanted in a man

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 spell out The hotel’s personality is spelled out by the stores in the mall it’s connected to—all upscale, all chic. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026 The 90-second video, uploaded to Instagram by content creator Ed Choi, was shot Sunday at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College, where Raman held a rally spelling out her plan for her first 100 days as mayor. — David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026 The settlement includes a consent decree that spells out a schedule of 30-plus theatrical releases per year as well as separate negotiations for the Paramount and Warner Bros. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026 In case of what need not be spelled out when the series opens with a shocking tableau of gay bar owner Leo Struthers (Alan Cumming), the recipient of Melba’s speech, hanging by his neck from a streetlight outside his Manchester home. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spell out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spell out
  1. explain
  2. illustrate
  3. clarify
  4. demonstrate
Verb
  • Kelly said she was impressed by Sand’s ability to not only answer complex policy questions off the cuff but also to explain the context of the issue for others in the audience who might not have been as familiar.
    — Gabrielle M. Etzel, The Washington Examiner, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Faulk explained the section from the Old Applehill Road to Douglas Street is considered a limited access highway because the state does not want businesses creating their own access points.
    — Lynn Kutter, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of explain
Verb
  • Its flight heritage illustrates the importance of dependable computing hardware in missions where repairs are difficult or impossible.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The incident illustrates the failures of trust and safety provisions that are supposed to protect against this kind of confusion.
    — Mia Sato, The Verge, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of illustrate
Verb
  • For good or ill, the film also refrains from forcing Uta to ever clarify her sexuality or choose one partner over the other.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Now, the former employees, as well as OpenAI, have issued additional statements to clarify their sides of the story.
    — Emily Forlini, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of clarify
Verb
  • The improvement demonstrates how low-noise lasers and high-quality optical resonators can increase rotation sensitivity on a photonic chip.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Their accounts demonstrate how AI is blurring the line between what's real and what's fake in the already fraught arena of online dating.
    — Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of demonstrate

Browse Nearby Words

spelling out
spell out
spells
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spell out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spell%20out. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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