as in explaining
to make plain or understandable
the dating applicant spelled out exactly what she wanted in a man
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spelling out
As Virgin Voyages' new stage show began, pink neon letters spelling out a woman's name glowed brightly in the low lights.
—
Nathan Diller, USA Today, 29 Sep. 2025
Media lawyers and newsroom leaders are evaluating a government memo spelling out new rules that would sharply restrict reporting at the Pentagon.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025
The campaign was photographed and filmed by Oliver Hadlee Pearch with an original track that also has Campbell spelling out the famous Italian brand.
—Miles Socha, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025
Kill those fears by spelling out exactly what's in and what's out.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Erin McGlothlin, the vice dean of undergraduate affairs in WashU’s College of Arts & Sciences, told me this stems from the belief that grading rubrics should be crystal clear in spelling out how class discussion is evaluated.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 17 Aug. 2025
Nathan Diller, USA Today, 29 Sep. 2025
Media lawyers and newsroom leaders are evaluating a government memo spelling out new rules that would sharply restrict reporting at the Pentagon.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025
The campaign was photographed and filmed by Oliver Hadlee Pearch with an original track that also has Campbell spelling out the famous Italian brand.
—Miles Socha, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025
Kill those fears by spelling out exactly what's in and what's out.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Erin McGlothlin, the vice dean of undergraduate affairs in WashU’s College of Arts & Sciences, told me this stems from the belief that grading rubrics should be crystal clear in spelling out how class discussion is evaluated.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 17 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spelling out
Verb
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The National Immigration Law Center recently published a guide explaining some of the potential risks of using the app, such as leaving the country without closing an immigration court case and becoming ineligible for a future visa.—
Melissa Sanchez,
ProPublica,
10 Oct. 2025
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Sometimes explaining one’s affinity for a specific Pokémon is difficult; since Satoshi Tajiri has been dreaming up these pet-warrior-oddballs, many have historically had a certain je ne sais quoi.—
Jack Smart,
PEOPLE,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Bryant once scored 50 against Iverson’s Sixers in a regular-season duel, illustrating the mutual challenge between them.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
9 Oct. 2025
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Trump’s post included a photo illustrating where the initial withdrawal line would be in relation to major cities like Rafah and Gaza City, as well as the Palestinian refugee camp Bureij.—
Callie Patteson,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This story has been updated to add Freida’s second post, clarifying her request for prayers.—
Carly Thomas,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Oct. 2025
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After facing backlash from the DHS and White House, however, the Grammy winner shared a statement clarifying his intent behind the song.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Yet members of Gen Z are also demonstrating new styles of communication fit for the future.—
Bill Connolly,
Rolling Stone,
15 Oct. 2025
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The protesters have been demonstrating across Brussels center, between Gare du Nord and Gare du Midi train stations, Reuters reported.—
Ashley J. DiMella,
FOXNews.com,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
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For borrowers in their second or third year of college worried about getting across the finish line, Pierce recommends speaking with financial aid offices to access grants or cheaper loans to fill gaps.—
Rachel Hale,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
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This is a woman who won a Golden Globe for playing Billie Holiday but her backstory for some reason was not getting across to the audience.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Sep. 2019
Cite this Entry
“Spelling out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spelling%20out. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
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