1
as in clarifying
to make plain or understandable
a pamphlet that explains the medical procedure in language that any layperson can understand
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in justifying
to give the reason for or cause of
can you explain your very odd behavior at the wedding reception?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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 explaining
Rock and dance music defenders alike have reached for their pitchforks, but Charli isn’t interested in debating or explaining the song to them.
—
Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 13 May 2026
The dramatic trailer opens with Ty introducing himself in a TikTok video and explaining why he was barricaded in his room.
—Janelle Griffith, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
In a video explaining how to use the hospital safety grades, Leapfrog recommends using them to inform your decision when researching hospitals near you.
—Eva Flowe
may 13, Charlotte Observer, 13 May 2026
Some top administration health figures had publicly questioned the credibility of the agencies that are now central to explaining a new and uncertain threat.
—Lena H. Sun, Washington Post, 12 May 2026
Visit the Lighthouse Museum across the street to see exhibits explaining the area's maritime and agricultural history.
—Amy Thomas, Travel + Leisure, 12 May 2026
What car owners should do The NHTSA says the remedy is currently under development, however interim owner notification letters explaining the safety risk are expected to be mailed June 25, 2026.
—Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 12 May 2026
Gianni Infantino tried to defend FIFA’s World Cup ticket prices by explaining American sports to Americans.
—Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 May 2026
Berry later apologized by email to Crocker, Cal-OSHA’s Sacramento District Manager, explaining that an arson and bomb investigator for Cal Fire, Gershom Slonim, had told Voller not to grant the interview.
—Joe Rubin, Sacbee.com, 6 May 2026
Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 13 May 2026
The dramatic trailer opens with Ty introducing himself in a TikTok video and explaining why he was barricaded in his room.
—Janelle Griffith, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
In a video explaining how to use the hospital safety grades, Leapfrog recommends using them to inform your decision when researching hospitals near you.
—Eva Flowe
may 13, Charlotte Observer, 13 May 2026
Some top administration health figures had publicly questioned the credibility of the agencies that are now central to explaining a new and uncertain threat.
—Lena H. Sun, Washington Post, 12 May 2026
Visit the Lighthouse Museum across the street to see exhibits explaining the area's maritime and agricultural history.
—Amy Thomas, Travel + Leisure, 12 May 2026
What car owners should do The NHTSA says the remedy is currently under development, however interim owner notification letters explaining the safety risk are expected to be mailed June 25, 2026.
—Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 12 May 2026
Gianni Infantino tried to defend FIFA’s World Cup ticket prices by explaining American sports to Americans.
—Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 May 2026
Berry later apologized by email to Crocker, Cal-OSHA’s Sacramento District Manager, explaining that an arson and bomb investigator for Cal Fire, Gershom Slonim, had told Voller not to grant the interview.
—Joe Rubin, Sacbee.com, 6 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explaining
Verb
-
Check the facts, ask one clarifying question, and let real information settle your nervous system.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 May 2026
-
Money + Politics Crypto stocks climbed as the Senate Banking Committee advanced a bill clarifying regulatory oversight of the industry, a top legislative priority for the sector that had stalled for months.—
Danielle Chemtob,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Easily the riskiest entry of the year so far, this expensive — $200 million but who’s counting — Amazon MGM Studios gamble, powered by Ryan Gosling’s star turn as a lonely astronaut, has made $573 million globally, justifying its steep costs.—
Stephen Schaefer,
Boston Herald,
2 May 2026
-
Quiet-luxury proponents would often speak of frequency of use and cost per wear in justifying a four-figure black wool sweater.—
Marisa Meltzer,
Vanity Fair,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Fox News Digital reporting captures this tense cultural moment, illustrating the mixed public sentiment and skepticism surrounding AI's growing footprint in daily life.—
Staff,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2026
-
The shot of the car hurtling off the cliff is one of cinema’s most enduring images, illustrating unbreakable friendship, victory and freedom.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Instead of obsessively over-rationalizing or avoiding, try making friends with that feeling.—
Goth Shakira
Contributing,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Reenvisioning platforms is about rationalizing the toolset to optimize investments and realize measurable business value.—
Ashwin Gaidhani,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
According to Bette, the current cycle is demonstrating a similar pattern where demand is deferred rather than destroyed.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
-
Over the years, the awards have at once become a snapshot of the most important reporting on the free press while also demonstrating that press’ power; the country’s top journalism institutions are among those typically feted.—
THR Staff,
HollywoodReporter,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Yeah, add that to the long list of unsupported claims about these vaccines that have ranged from various anti-vaxxers asserting that the vaccines will turn you into a gigantic magnet to attributing seemingly every celebrity illness and death during the COVID-19 pandemic to the COVID-19 vaccines.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
-
Slok has previously invoked Jevons paradox to explain why AI will actually create more jobs overall, despite some employers attributing layoffs to the technology.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
The architecture is modular, simplifying future upgrades.—
David Szondy
May 17,
New Atlas,
17 May 2026
-
Mamdani intends to cut the median time for approvals from 210 to to 100 days via a mix of simplifying income verification, speeding up the process for lottery winners to be selected, and streamlining the applications, among other things.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Outsmarting the noise Many animals rely on echolocation — emitting sound waves and interpreting the returning echoes — to navigate and hunt.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
19 May 2026
-
The committee also has a legal adviser, a civil servant who, while reporting to the chair, may serve indefinitely, interpreting election law, representing the committee in court, certifying candidates' qualifications, and insuring a fair count at polling places.—
Bernard Avishai,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Explaining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explaining. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
