1
as in illustrates
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 justifies
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 explains
Harvard Professor Carla Martin explains how cacao transformed from a sacred drink into a Valentine’s Day staple — and how history, marketing and chemistry helped give chocolate its emotional power.
—
Dana Taylor, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
Athletes are tested for substances as part of the Monitoring Program during regular doping checks in order to gather data on usage, Fitzgerald explains.
—Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Earlier, Langdon found a picture of Louie with a woman in his wallet and Robby explains that Louie was married at one time.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2026
The color shifted for the movie, though, as the color red is a key theme of Lali, which also explains the film’s title.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026
Tom Bellamy explains the science behind desire and yearning.
—Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
The host of 'Catching the Codfather' explains why his new podcast about a notorious fishing magnate is really about regulation, science, and the American dream.
—Abigail Wise, Outside, 13 Feb. 2026
Kelly Enders-Tharp, a three-time surrogate and education and experience specialist at Growing Generations, explains that surrogates are often stereotyped, or that their backgrounds are misrepresented.
—Kris Ann Valdez, Parents, 13 Feb. 2026
Guthrie explains experiences like this taught her faith is forged, not in moments of ease or happiness, but in the lowest points of adversity.
—Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
Dana Taylor, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
Athletes are tested for substances as part of the Monitoring Program during regular doping checks in order to gather data on usage, Fitzgerald explains.
—Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Earlier, Langdon found a picture of Louie with a woman in his wallet and Robby explains that Louie was married at one time.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2026
The color shifted for the movie, though, as the color red is a key theme of Lali, which also explains the film’s title.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026
Tom Bellamy explains the science behind desire and yearning.
—Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
The host of 'Catching the Codfather' explains why his new podcast about a notorious fishing magnate is really about regulation, science, and the American dream.
—Abigail Wise, Outside, 13 Feb. 2026
Kelly Enders-Tharp, a three-time surrogate and education and experience specialist at Growing Generations, explains that surrogates are often stereotyped, or that their backgrounds are misrepresented.
—Kris Ann Valdez, Parents, 13 Feb. 2026
Guthrie explains experiences like this taught her faith is forged, not in moments of ease or happiness, but in the lowest points of adversity.
—Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explains
Verb
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The situation illustrates how decades after the devastating 1990s wars in the former Yugoslavia, the region lags behind the rest of Europe both economically and with regard to environmental protection.—
Eldar Emric,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Altman’s frustration perfectly illustrates how AI companies have driven themselves into a corner.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
At the same time, Maryland has lost approximately 130,000 residents since Moore took office, yet the budget justifies hundreds of millions in housing and community revitalization spending based on population growth assumptions that do not match reality.—
J.B. Jennings,
Baltimore Sun,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Today’s chip valuations have also already priced in years of double-digit growth, so any friction in the buildout justifies short-term selloffs.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
At the video's end, the man clarifies that the cold-blooded iguanas are not dead, but rather in brumation — reptiles' version of hibernation.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
3 Feb. 2026
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The bill amends the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Patient Protection Act and the Medical Cannabis Regulation Act, harmonizes tax and enforcement provisions, and clarifies how cannabis will be treated across state codes.—
Alonzo Martinez,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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One pattern rationalizes exploitation and disguises harm as the price of progress.—
Valerie L. Myers,
The Conversation,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Many ideas that were rejected in the past receive new life upon a surprising new observation; many ideas that are accepted today will be overthrown when a key experimental result demonstrates its insufficiency.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
10 Feb. 2026
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Securing the supply chain for these demonstrates Terra Innovatum’s manufacturing and deployment readiness.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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These vehicle types often operate from centralized locations, which simplifies the logistical requirements for hydrogen refueling.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Feb. 2026
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The Nigerian government rejected the claim, and analysts say the claim simplifies a very complicated crisis that targets people regardless of their faiths.—
Pelumi Salako,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This Leo Full Moon illuminates confidence, creativity, leadership, and the desire to be seen.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
25 Jan. 2026
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Amid the chronological retelling of anecdotes and landmark events in Valdez’s storied career, Alvarado also illuminates the elderly master’s personal wounds.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Explains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explains. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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