SPELLS OUT Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

spells out

verb

present tense third-person singular of spell out

as in explains

to make plain or understandable the dating applicant spelled out exactly what she wanted in a man

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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 spells out The settlement includes a consent decree that spells out a schedule of 30-plus theatrical releases per year as well as separate negotiations for the Paramount and Warner Bros. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026 Staring down an assembly of the outraged, Digger spells out the ruthless logic of global capitalism and claims the world’s fuel dependency as the ultimate vindication. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2026 The suit spells out how and when that’s alleged to have occurred. — Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 16 Sep. 2026 The grid spells out, anonymously, the rate expectations for the full 19 participants at the meeting, though Warsh withheld his dot for the June update. — Jeff Cox, CNBC, 14 Sep. 2026 According to a later report by Le Monde published today, the new court order also spells out why that argument in itself is an inherent contradiction. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 11 Sep. 2026 Election law, for example, spells out the circumstances under which ballots can be examined, even during a criminal prosecution. — Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 25 Aug. 2026 Carlson also spells out a distinction the 90-10 case rather takes for granted. — Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026 The film spells out the gargantuan payouts that each Boeing CEO has received, despite the crashes and questions about their actions and the company’s faltering value. — Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for spells out

Verb

As well as hearing the audio of the Princess, the three-part doc series explains how and when they were recorded, and the extraordinary lengths Diana went to in order to ensure her story could be heard.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
As Madison explains, picking her first post-Oscar gig definitely stressed her out, but her desire to grow her career and range (a la Cate Blanchett and Isabelle Huppert) helped push her to take on the project.

— Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of explains

Verb

Turkheimer said the apparent mistake illustrates how the complexities of statutes of limitations can undermine the fundamental premise of the justice system.

— Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 2 Oct. 2026
One transaction illustrates how the operation allegedly worked.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of illustrates

Verb

The final version — which has Beutner’s approval — clarifies that small schools or small school districts can pool their money to share an arts teacher, provided that every school gets the additional arts instruction.

— Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026
Haddad clarifies that vinyl itself doesn’t rust, which means that any visible rust on the siding is coming from something else.

— The Spruce, The Spruce, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of clarifies

Verb

This exhibit demonstrates how more than 600 muscles fuel human movement.

— Emma Hall October 3, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026
As Applied Aerospace strips out IPO charges over the next two quarters, demonstrates its capital-light operating leverage, and starts collecting cash on its backlog, the valuation gap will likely compress.

— Harvey Stober, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of demonstrates

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spells out

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“Spells out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spells%20out. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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