clarify
verb
clar·i·fy
ˈkler-ə-ˌfī 
ˈkla-rə-
clarified; clarifying
1
: to make understandable
clarify a subject
The president was forced to clarify his position on the issue.
2
: to free of confusion
needs time to clarify his thoughts
3
: to make (a liquid or something liquefied) clear or pure usually by freeing from suspended matter
clarify syrup
: to become clear
waiting for the present muddled diplomatic situation to clarify—
Newsweek
Newsweek
Examples of clarify in a Sentence
Can you clarify exactly what it is you're proposing?
Her explanation did not clarify matters much.
The president was forced to clarify his position on the issue.
The committee clarified the manager's duties.
a substance used to clarify wine
Recent Examples on the Web
But to clarify, this isn't your regular sweaty gym bun, the kind thrown up without a care.
—Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 7 Feb. 2025
Salles doesn’t clarify his viewpoint until the end, when Eunice ages into senility.
—Armond White, National Review, 7 Feb. 2025
Despite clarifying the difference, the SIL insisted he wouldn't be allowed to babysit again.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025
Similarly, Drake has not clarified any further on the status of his and Khaled's working relationship beyond the initial comment.
—Chris Barilla, People.com, 6 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for clarify 
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Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 7 Feb. 2025
Salles doesn’t clarify his viewpoint until the end, when Eunice ages into senility.
—Armond White, National Review, 7 Feb. 2025
Despite clarifying the difference, the SIL insisted he wouldn't be allowed to babysit again.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025
Similarly, Drake has not clarified any further on the status of his and Khaled's working relationship beyond the initial comment.
—Chris Barilla, People.com, 6 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for clarify
Dictionary Entries Near clarify
Cite this Entry
“Clarify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clarify. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
clarify
verb
clar·i·fy
ˈklar-ə-ˌfī
clarified; clarifying
1
: to make or become pure or clear
clarify a liquid
2
: to make or become easier to understand
clarify a statement
Medical Definition
clarify
verb
clar·i·fy
ˈklar-ə-ˌfī
clarified; clarifying
: to make (as a liquid) clear or pure usually by freeing from suspended matter
clarify sewage
: to become clear
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