as in explains
to make plain or understandable
the dating applicant spelled out exactly what she wanted in a man
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Recent Examples of spells out
The legislation also spells out enforcement steps the Federal Trade Commission, Department of Health and Human Services, Justice Department and state attorneys general can take against companies that violate the legislation.
—
Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 13 May 2026
Mbappe has scored 41 goals in 41 appearances across all competitions this season, either side of a series of short-term spells out with a left knee injury.
—Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 10 May 2026
The consent decree spells out the back pay 26 workers will get for work they should have been paid between 2019 and 2023.
—Esme Murphy, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2026
The Common Council has seen vacancies before, and city's municipal code spells out what the alderperson and the city must do when someone declares their intent to resign.
—Bridget Fogarty, jsonline.com, 13 Apr. 2026
On its website, the IRS spells out the new deduction amounts available at different income levels.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
Lina communicates using a method in which a nonspeaking person spells out words with the assistance of a facilitator, often a family member.
—Tom Bartlett, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2026
In a March 26 news release, Texas Parks and Wildlife officials announced an amendment that more clearly spells out what buyers must show at the counter and adds tougher documentation rules for some out-of-state and foreign applicants.
—Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 31 Mar. 2026
Seeing the wall police breached to give people inside the club a chance to get out, or the bathrooms and dressing rooms where people hid, prayed for survival or reached out to family and friends carries an impact that spells out this nation’s terrifying vulnerability to gun violence.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2026
Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 13 May 2026
Mbappe has scored 41 goals in 41 appearances across all competitions this season, either side of a series of short-term spells out with a left knee injury.
—Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 10 May 2026
The consent decree spells out the back pay 26 workers will get for work they should have been paid between 2019 and 2023.
—Esme Murphy, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2026
The Common Council has seen vacancies before, and city's municipal code spells out what the alderperson and the city must do when someone declares their intent to resign.
—Bridget Fogarty, jsonline.com, 13 Apr. 2026
On its website, the IRS spells out the new deduction amounts available at different income levels.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
Lina communicates using a method in which a nonspeaking person spells out words with the assistance of a facilitator, often a family member.
—Tom Bartlett, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2026
In a March 26 news release, Texas Parks and Wildlife officials announced an amendment that more clearly spells out what buyers must show at the counter and adds tougher documentation rules for some out-of-state and foreign applicants.
—Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 31 Mar. 2026
Seeing the wall police breached to give people inside the club a chance to get out, or the bathrooms and dressing rooms where people hid, prayed for survival or reached out to family and friends carries an impact that spells out this nation’s terrifying vulnerability to gun violence.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spells out
Verb
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Bo-Katan explains the Mandalorians who raised Din and taught him to never show his face are religious zealots known as the Children of the Watch, who broke from Mandalorian society.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
16 May 2026
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Epigenetics explains how your behaviors and environment can affect how your genes act.—
Julie Scott,
Verywell Health,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Instability in several of the world’s most important energy suppliers illustrates how quickly geopolitical crises can ripple through global markets.—
Yu Jie,
Time,
13 May 2026
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Greene’s experience illustrates a broader challenge.—
Davi Jacobs,
Baltimore Sun,
13 May 2026
Verb
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The new rule clarifies that for songs submitted as the first new music cue once the end credits begin, the video clip must include the last 15 seconds of the film before the credits begin.—
Marcus Jones,
IndieWire,
1 May 2026
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The attorney then clarifies if his testimony is that Randklev went through the training, but had not read any part of the act.—
Fousia Abdullahi,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Colleen Camp, on the other hand, demonstrates a flair for light comedy as an alluring French maid, though the role too often requires her to play second fiddle to her own enhanced bosom.—
Kirk Ellis,
HollywoodReporter,
12 May 2026
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The candidate demonstrates willingness to address younger voters’ concerns openly, responding directly to questions about his billionaire status and financial practices.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spells out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spells%20out. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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