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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Disorders like tremors can be traced to specific misbehaving circuits in the brain, Munyon said while explaining the procedure.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Oct. 2025
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Robinson also leans on ChatGPT to talk through lifestyle adjustments like meal prep ideas, travel accommodations, and communication strategies for explaining her health needs to clients and colleagues.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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
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Over the course of the series, Heon has been diligently writing down and illustrating each of Ji-yeon’s culinary creations.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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This clarifying clay mask pairs kaolin and bentonite clays with bamboo charcoal to draw out pore-clogging impurities and sweep away excess oil—without leaving your skin feeling parched.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
30 Sep. 2025
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This could be with a sibling, neighbor or close friend, so clarifying boundaries is key.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Nonetheless, the study marks an important step in demonstrating that reprogramming adult human cells into fertilizable gametes is technically possible.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
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Reinforce the business case by demonstrating how face-to-face collaboration fuels innovation, improves problem-solving, and enhances team performance.—
Peter Cappelli,
Big Think,
30 Sep. 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 7 Oct. 2025.
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