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 settlement also spelled out plans for a memorial bench honoring Sophia’s life at San Felipe Community Park in Fairview, just outside of Hayward’s city limits. — Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026 There are special allowances for vehicles at least 100 years old, believe it or not, but as this AutoWeek explainer from 2024 spells out, good luck trying to ship a ’60s Mustang across the world to drive it on their streets. — Adam Ismail, The Drive, 5 Aug. 2026 How some suspicious enrollments will be removed is spelled out in emails sent in June to insurance carriers and obtained by KFF Health News. — Julie Appleby, Miami Herald, 3 Aug. 2026 Many of the features that make Head Start distinct from mainstream preschools are spelled out in 122 pages of performance standards. — ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spell out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spell out
  1. explain
  2. illustrate
  3. clarify
  4. demonstrate
Verb
  • Some news stations would run a warning for viewers before the ad would air, as well as explain the FCC law requiring its airing.
    — Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Find out what the bill does when one workflow triples its tool calls after a model upgrade, because that is the scenario that turns a modest platform fee into a line item the CFO wants explained.
    — Janakiram MSV, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of explain
Verb
  • Something extraordinary these episodes illustrate, in our view, is the vulnerability of America’s highly interconnected fresh-food supply chain, in which one grower or supplier problem can ripple astonishingly far.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
  • One of Schore's simplest techniques illustrates how quickly emotional reactions can redirect attention.
    — Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of illustrate
Verb
  • Engelbert listed three guiding principles for the league in the discussion but did not clarify whether or not trans athletes are allowed to play in the WNBA.
    — Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Budnik clarified that the characters were actually playing Chinese mahjong — a completely different game.
    — Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of clarify
Verb
  • As Amziah demonstrates during this lesson, the queen is the center of the universe, and without her, the colony would collapse.
    — Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Huang of the Taiwan Network Information Center said the July incident demonstrated that AI has become the main player in cybersecurity beyond simply assisting human hackers in partial automation tasks.
    — John Liu, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of demonstrate

Browse Nearby Words

spelling out
spell out
spells
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Cite this Entry

“Spell out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spell%20out. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of spell out for Spanish Speakers

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