Examples of explanatory in a Sentence
There are explanatory notes at the front of the book.
the explanatory section has as its heading “What the New Tax Changes Mean”
Recent Examples on the Web
That by itself seemed innocuous, and thus the prosecutor (who did not have easy access to the explanatory data) was unable to explain to the judge why the office had decided to seek confinement.
—
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2025
Prose can do these things too, but the model is often more didactic, explanatory, and, at its worst, plodding.
—Rebecca Solnit
may 27, Literary Hub, 27 May 2025
ProPublica received Pulitzers for public service in 2024, national reporting in 2020, feature writing in 2019, public service in 2017, explanatory reporting in 2016, national reporting in 2011 and investigative reporting in 2010.
—ProPublica, 5 May 2025
Parts read like a narrative, other parts sound like a letter to the husband, sometimes explanatory, sometimes apologetic, sometimes pining.
—The Know, Denver Post, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for explanatory
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.
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2025
Prose can do these things too, but the model is often more didactic, explanatory, and, at its worst, plodding.
—Rebecca Solnit
may 27, Literary Hub, 27 May 2025
ProPublica received Pulitzers for public service in 2024, national reporting in 2020, feature writing in 2019, public service in 2017, explanatory reporting in 2016, national reporting in 2011 and investigative reporting in 2010.
—ProPublica, 5 May 2025
Parts read like a narrative, other parts sound like a letter to the husband, sometimes explanatory, sometimes apologetic, sometimes pining.
—The Know, Denver Post, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for explanatory
Cite this Entry
“Explanatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/explanatory. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
explanatory
adjective
ex·plan·a·to·ry
ik-ˈsplan-ə-ˌtōr-ē 
-ˌtȯr-
: serving to explain
explanatory notes
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share