as in explaining
to make plain or understandable
the dating applicant spelled out exactly what she wanted in a man
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spelling out
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
Doha, Qatar — In a message marking 30 days since the start of the Iran war, a senior Iranian official is spelling out what many ordinary people across the tense Gulf, and beyond, privately fear will be Washington’s next move.
—Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2026
Patrons of The Rockhill Grille in the Crossroads may have noticed a door adjacent to the restaurant, with gold lettering spelling out the bar’s name.
—Jenna Thompson
march 20, Kansas City Star, 20 Mar. 2026
And Pearl, while making his team’s case Thursday, unwittingly did a fine job of spelling out the ills of expansion as well.
—Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Trump castigated the court for not spelling out what happens to the tens of billions of dollars the government has already collected.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026
The job qualifications are typically lean, spelling out a handful of core expectations.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 18 Feb. 2026
The timeline is worth spelling out.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 17 Feb. 2026
Volunteers recently took city representatives to the area to see the situation for themselves in the hope the city will install official signs spelling out the rules for bicyclists, including speed limits and the message that off-roading is prohibited.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Jen Juneau, PEOPLE, 13 Apr. 2026
Doha, Qatar — In a message marking 30 days since the start of the Iran war, a senior Iranian official is spelling out what many ordinary people across the tense Gulf, and beyond, privately fear will be Washington’s next move.
—Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2026
Patrons of The Rockhill Grille in the Crossroads may have noticed a door adjacent to the restaurant, with gold lettering spelling out the bar’s name.
—Jenna Thompson
march 20, Kansas City Star, 20 Mar. 2026
And Pearl, while making his team’s case Thursday, unwittingly did a fine job of spelling out the ills of expansion as well.
—Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Trump castigated the court for not spelling out what happens to the tens of billions of dollars the government has already collected.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026
The job qualifications are typically lean, spelling out a handful of core expectations.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 18 Feb. 2026
The timeline is worth spelling out.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 17 Feb. 2026
Volunteers recently took city representatives to the area to see the situation for themselves in the hope the city will install official signs spelling out the rules for bicyclists, including speed limits and the message that off-roading is prohibited.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spelling out
Verb
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Gianni Infantino tried to defend FIFA’s World Cup ticket prices by explaining American sports to Americans.—
Dan Zaksheske OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
6 May 2026
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Berry later apologized by email to Crocker, Cal-OSHA’s Sacramento District Manager, explaining that an arson and bomb investigator for Cal Fire, Gershom Slonim, had told Voller not to grant the interview.—
Joe Rubin,
Sacbee.com,
6 May 2026
Verb
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Touching the Art also delves into erasure and gaslighting, illustrating the all-too-common silencing that occurs when a family member speaks up about violence or abuse.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
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The original design plans for the Resolute Desk are kept by the National Maritime Museum in London, illustrating the vision for the President's Desk.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Ask one clarifying question today, then respond with intention so the conversation leads somewhere useful.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
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At Judges’ Table itself, a winner isn’t immediately identified; instead, the judges ask the teams a few clarifying questions and share what takeout diners thought.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Federal prosecutors said while many people were peacefully demonstrating against immigration enforcement operations in Los Angeles County last summer, some people sought to use violence to obstruct, impede or injure officers conducting the enforcement operations.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
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Facing this new urgency, NASA officials are eager to transition from demonstrating reliable lunar landers to delivering tangible infrastructure to the Moon’s surface.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
6 May 2026
Verb
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For getting up the hill and getting across the flatter sections.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
7 Jan. 2026
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The issue has been discussed within Congress for years and has received bipartisan support, but obstacles have repeatedly stopped the effort from getting across the finish line.—
Jared Gans,
The Hill,
11 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spelling out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spelling%20out. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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