1
as in to clarify
to make plain or understandable
a pamphlet that explains the medical procedure in language that any layperson can understand
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to justify
to give the reason for or cause of
can you explain your very odd behavior at the wedding reception?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of explain
McIlroy was always surrounded by golf, Heaven explains, beginning with his grandfather Jimmy who was a member at Holywood.
—
Ben Morse and Patrick Snell, CNN Money, 19 Apr. 2025
Be aware of factors that can worsen your allergic reaction
Rubin uses a concept called the allergy symptom threshold to explain how exposure to multiple allergens, along with other factors, can trigger symptoms.
—Andrea Muraskin, NPR, 19 Apr. 2025
The Royals on Saturday sent struggling outfielder MJ Melendez to Triple-A Omaha, and any number of stats explain why that decision was made.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 19 Apr. 2025
Figure explains that this decision was made to maintain tight control over robot quality, production efficiency, and performance.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 16 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for explain
Ben Morse and Patrick Snell, CNN Money, 19 Apr. 2025
Be aware of factors that can worsen your allergic reaction
Rubin uses a concept called the allergy symptom threshold to explain how exposure to multiple allergens, along with other factors, can trigger symptoms.
—Andrea Muraskin, NPR, 19 Apr. 2025
The Royals on Saturday sent struggling outfielder MJ Melendez to Triple-A Omaha, and any number of stats explain why that decision was made.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 19 Apr. 2025
Figure explains that this decision was made to maintain tight control over robot quality, production efficiency, and performance.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 16 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for explain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explain
Verb
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The system includes a clarifying shampoo, keratin treatment, and nourishing hair mask, each infused with hydrolyzed keratin and antioxidant-rich açaí and cacao to restore hydration, combat oxidative stress, and unveil a noticeably smoother, more manageable texture.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
18 Apr. 2025
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While entrance fees are waived, the National Park Service has clarified that some reservation systems and amenity charges remain in effect.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The myth that trans women are a danger to cis women is a grossly transphobic stereotype with almost no real-world justification, but Rowling pins most of her anti-trans arguments on it, using her experience as a survivor of domestic abuse to justify her prejudice.—
Aja Romano,
Vox,
18 Apr. 2025
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The funding freezes and cuts have been imposed before the completion of full investigations, and different legal rationales have been offered to justify them.—
Michael T. Nietzel,
Forbes.com,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Her own work has illustrated how different brain regions activate when processing English or Chinese sentences because of their differing linguistic properties.—
Gayoung Lee,
Scientific American,
14 Apr. 2025
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As the graphic above illustrates, Galatasaray’s Napoli loanee can find space to shoot, even with limited service.—
Ali Rampling,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Insisting that only the violence of the right is worth highlighting while rationalizing and downplaying that of the left will lead to more of it.—
Noah Rothman,
National Review,
14 Apr. 2025
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The president rationalized his decision, in part, by pointing to trade deficits.—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Jack Moorhouse, a 19-year-old midfielder, has demonstrated an ability to pick up the ball and carry it up the pitch at youth level — an attribute sorely lacking among the first-team squad.—
Mark Critchley,
New York Times,
19 Apr. 2025
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That call demonstrates, Parrish said, why fire departments and utility companies are cautious when working a gas leak.—
Laura Bauer,
Kansas City Star,
19 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Prior advancements all came with some sort of asterisk, though; for example, the derivations involved only worked on short timescales, in a vacuum or under other simplifying conditions.—
Jack Murtagh,
Scientific American,
14 Apr. 2025
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The federal Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, is trying to streamline federal agencies by eliminating redundancies, modernizing technology, and simplifying processes so government better serves taxpayers.—
Adam A. Millsap,
Forbes.com,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
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From a legal standpoint, the SEC’s February memo could be interpreted as offering regulatory cover for projects like these, provided they are not marketed with profit guarantees or tied to managerial efforts.—
Tonya M. Evans,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
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OneNote's Math Assistant can interpret handwritten math equations and solve them for you, though this is available only for Enterprise and Education subscribers to Microsoft 365.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
14 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Explain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explain. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
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