1
as in interpretation
a statement that makes something clear
an explanation of photosynthesis that most museum visitors will be able to understand
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in reason
a statement given to explain a belief or act
when questioned by authorities, the students were at a loss for an explanation for their senseless vandalism
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of explanation
The most charitable explanation for Witkoff’s response is naïveté.
—
Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2026
For these reasons, some families choose to include advisers, not to deliver legal explanations, but to help keep discussions grounded and focused.
—Bruce Helmer, Twin Cities, 14 Mar. 2026
Patients arrive at a diagnosis once symptoms have persisted for at least three months and all other explanations have been ruled out.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2026
Patrick Kane doesn’t need explanation.
—Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for explanation
Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2026
For these reasons, some families choose to include advisers, not to deliver legal explanations, but to help keep discussions grounded and focused.
—Bruce Helmer, Twin Cities, 14 Mar. 2026
Patients arrive at a diagnosis once symptoms have persisted for at least three months and all other explanations have been ruled out.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2026
Patrick Kane doesn’t need explanation.
—Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for explanation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explanation
Noun
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Modern Deco interpretations can lean a bit more minimalist, but often still include bold colors.—
Katherine McLaughlin,
Architectural Digest,
10 Mar. 2026
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For more than a century, that interpretation shaped both textbook and casual medical wisdom.—
Lilia Goncharova,
The Conversation,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The reasons for this are manifold, but include the fact that the Academy’s directors’ branch, which decides on the nominations, is still predominantly male, and has historically overlooked the work of women.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
11 Mar. 2026
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Mansfield Summit Coach Emund Pritchett said the program lost 7 players from last year’s team for various reasons, but some could’ve been back.—
Cody Thorn,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The 150 shops are a vital source of livelihood for many and an illustration of resilience.—
Lilliam Rivera,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
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Outside the office, Shelby is a faceted artisan intoxicated by pre-1900s scientific illustration, engraving and typography.—
Michael Muchmore,
PC Magazine,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The defense did not call witnesses during the trial, instead focusing on making their case through cross-examination of prosecution witnesses and closing arguments.—
Emerson Clarridge
Updated March 13,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Mar. 2026
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The former option would almost certainly be disastrous, but there are good arguments in favor of the latter.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
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His clarification underscored the nuance at the heart of his question.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
12 Mar. 2026
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Representatives for Disneyland and the APD did not immediately respond to EW's request for clarification on the number of affected employees.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Redzepi responded with a public apology posted on Saturday.—
Stephanie Breijo,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
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Nonprofit news organization The Markup editor-in-chief Julia Angwin filed a class action lawsuit in the Southern District of New York on Wednesday afternoon, right around the time Mehrotra issued his apology.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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But this sweet, deep man deserves a fuller accounting.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
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Jorge Landeros, 56, was sentenced to 25 years in prison more than a decade after reportedly fatally beating and strangling a 52-year-old American University accounting professor in her Maryland home.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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In other words, experts say, any city rebate program must serve a legitimate public purpose and cannot be structured solely to provide financial benefits to a particular group, such as seniors, without a broader justification.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
11 Mar. 2026
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Iran cites the Abu Dhabi’s decades-long strategic alliance with Washington as a justification for the attacks.—
Paula Hancocks,
CNN Money,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Explanation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explanation. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
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