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
After a day of legal maneuvers and thunderstorms, workers began the process in the early morning hours of removing the letters spelling out the Republican president’s name from the facade of the iconic performing arts venue.
—
Steven Sloan, Fortune, 13 June 2026
Leaning minimal, opt for simple cursive lettering spelling out the best city in the world.
—Amanda Le, InStyle, 9 June 2026
In February, the administration finalized a rule creating this new category of at-will employees called Schedule Policy/Career, and on Wednesday, the president issued an executive order spelling out which existing civil service positions would be transitioned.
—Megan Molteni, STAT, 5 June 2026
Per usual with movies like this, spelling out the terror (the roots are in hobo codes and religious legend) becomes, regrettably, a shock absorber, not a facilitator.
—Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026
Visitors would enter past letters spelling out N-A-T-E-L-A-N-D and pass through a six-story indoor mall spilling onto pathways leading to the other three lands.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 19 May 2026
His mistakes have included depriving vulnerable older people of a benefit to heat their homes; raising payroll taxes on employers, while simultaneously asking them to hire more young people; and seeking a new relationship with the European Union, but never spelling out what that means.
—Sam Knight, New Yorker, 14 May 2026
Specifically, carapaces spelling out 8647, which is either shell-speak for evil intent or a bartender telling Patel to 86 his personal booze and buy a drink already.
—Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 8 May 2026
The theme paid homage to the popular video game, and the party featured giant video screens where partygoers could try their hand at being the last one standing, as well as a light-up dance floor, custom apparel and a giant sign spelling out Mason's name.
—Jen Juneau, PEOPLE, 13 Apr. 2026
Steven Sloan, Fortune, 13 June 2026
Leaning minimal, opt for simple cursive lettering spelling out the best city in the world.
—Amanda Le, InStyle, 9 June 2026
In February, the administration finalized a rule creating this new category of at-will employees called Schedule Policy/Career, and on Wednesday, the president issued an executive order spelling out which existing civil service positions would be transitioned.
—Megan Molteni, STAT, 5 June 2026
Per usual with movies like this, spelling out the terror (the roots are in hobo codes and religious legend) becomes, regrettably, a shock absorber, not a facilitator.
—Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026
Visitors would enter past letters spelling out N-A-T-E-L-A-N-D and pass through a six-story indoor mall spilling onto pathways leading to the other three lands.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 19 May 2026
His mistakes have included depriving vulnerable older people of a benefit to heat their homes; raising payroll taxes on employers, while simultaneously asking them to hire more young people; and seeking a new relationship with the European Union, but never spelling out what that means.
—Sam Knight, New Yorker, 14 May 2026
Specifically, carapaces spelling out 8647, which is either shell-speak for evil intent or a bartender telling Patel to 86 his personal booze and buy a drink already.
—Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 8 May 2026
The theme paid homage to the popular video game, and the party featured giant video screens where partygoers could try their hand at being the last one standing, as well as a light-up dance floor, custom apparel and a giant sign spelling out Mason's name.
—Jen Juneau, PEOPLE, 13 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spelling out
Verb
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The exhibit highlights examples of bird-friendly architecture in cities such as Chicago and Santa Cruz while explaining the design principles behind collision prevention.—
Christiana Freitag,
Chicago Tribune,
10 June 2026
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Alsace spent centuries moving between French and German rule — explaining why this indisputably French cake so closely resembles similar treats from across the Germanic world.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
10 June 2026
Verb
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The glittery red says both pretty and sparkly but also hints at a sinister feeling of blood, perfectly illustrating the light and dark sides of the beauty industry.—
Emily Temple,
Literary Hub,
11 Dec. 2025
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The new episodes are extra acidic, skewering the industry while illustrating how much easier female solidarity is to sell than to practice.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
8 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The former couple issued a joint statement to Us Weekly, clarifying that the clip is not representative of their five-year relationship.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
11 June 2026
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And that means clarifying whether entertainment content counts.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
10 June 2026
Verb
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After receiving a firing order, the vehicles maneuvered into position and launched their rockets with bright flashes within three minutes, demonstrating their mobility.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
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Those films revolutionized the way that Hollywood does business — demonstrating that movies could sell T-shirts and toys as well as tickets.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
9 June 2026
Verb
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While the players' plane went across the border to the United States with ease, the second place — the one Roberts was on — had some trouble getting across.—
Noah Camras,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Spelling out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spelling%20out. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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