spelling out

verb

present participle of spell out
as in explaining
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 spelling out As red smoke billowed above them, the students stood in front of large gray letters spelling out the school's name, holding a Palestinian flag. — Asra Q. Nomani, FOXNews.com, 9 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 But the doc often relies on how well known these stories are to get out of JAŸ spelling out their grim particulars. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026 The Secretary of State's office also released a contingency plan spelling out exactly how a statewide hand recount would be run if Lindell posts the bond by Monday's deadline. — Eric Henderson, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026 Existing plans must also mail every enrollee an Annual Notice of Change around the same time, spelling out exactly what that person’s premium, deductible and covered drugs will look like in January. — Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026 After a court filing spelling out the agreement came during the last hour of trading on Wall Street, shares in Paramount added to what was already a lackluster day. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 24 July 2026 The motion was denied, and in the early hours of June 13, the center removed the letters spelling out the president’s name. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 9 July 2026 The doctor has a right to contest these before a health law judge or the commission issues a final order spelling out any disciplinary action or dropping the case. — Ashley Hiruko, ProPublica, 8 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spelling out
  1. explaining
  2. illustrating
  3. clarifying
  4. demonstrating
  5. getting across
Verb
  • There’s also something of the uncomfortable social observation of Ruben Östlund, Bong Joon Ho or Yorgos Lanthimos, and the freedom of filmmakers who allow situations to become absurd without explaining the joke.
    — Annika Pham, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Focus on what is actually worth protecting, spending, or explaining.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of explaining
Verb
  • But its rebound Thursday helped offset weakness in the AI trade, illustrating how different parts of the market can perform well at different times.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Chinese media also reported that participating forces were stationed underground during the exercise to protect them from drone attacks, illustrating how persistent aerial surveillance and strike drones are changing battlefield operations.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of illustrating
Verb
  • Before meeting with a patient advocate, identify your main objectives – for example, preparing for a transition home, clarifying a treatment plan or understanding medication changes.
    — Jennifer Schlinger, The Conversation, 6 Oct. 2026
  • In November 2025, South Korea proposed talks on clarifying the borderline, but North Korea didn’t respond.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of clarifying
Verb
  • Tiffany Hayes added 21 points off the bench, demonstrating how Golden State can find scoring help beyond its starters.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026
  • However, demonstrating entanglement across 13 qubits is not the same as building a practical, large-scale quantum computer.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of demonstrating
Verb
  • Few people know what is really going on in Tehran or how bad things are getting across the country.
    — David Faris, Washington Post, 5 Oct. 2026
  • For getting up the hill and getting across the flatter sections.
    — Outside Online, Outside Online, 7 Jan. 2026
Definition of getting across

Browse Nearby Words

spelling
spelling out
spell out
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Cite this Entry

“Spelling out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spelling%20out. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

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