as in interpretive
serving to explain
a dearth of explicative material to help the layman understand the difficult subject matter
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of explicative
While Clarkson was amazed by her skills, Parton was able to slip in an explicative on daytime television.
—
Vulture, 21 Dec. 2022
Much of the dialogue is obvious and explicative; young Bode sometimes sounds like a middle-aged professor.
—Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2020
There are periodic explicative orations about the state of the nation.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 1 Nov. 2019
Video posted on the Twitter feed of Robin Bell shows the explicative term in question emblazoned across the wall of the hotel, backed by a cascade of poop emojis.
—Michelle Hunter, NOLA.com, 14 Jan. 2018
Vulture, 21 Dec. 2022
Much of the dialogue is obvious and explicative; young Bode sometimes sounds like a middle-aged professor.
—Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2020
There are periodic explicative orations about the state of the nation.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 1 Nov. 2019
Video posted on the Twitter feed of Robin Bell shows the explicative term in question emblazoned across the wall of the hotel, backed by a cascade of poop emojis.
—Michelle Hunter, NOLA.com, 14 Jan. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explicative
Adjective
-
The concentration of so much interpretive power in one proprietary system raises questions that extend well beyond marketing claims.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
9 Feb. 2026
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This followed the 500th large-group interpretive dance number of the evening, featuring dozens of performers in polyurethane suits doing movement set to a spoken word about how war is, actually, bad.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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There are various interpretative signs and points of interest along the way, including famous Creek Street and both Ketchikan museums.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
9 Jan. 2026
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With her powerful voice and hypnotic interpretative quality, Peluso seems tailor-made for this.—
Sigal Ratner-Arias,
Billboard,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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In broader terms, the summer of 2023 is quite illustrative.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
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This information including any specific securities mentioned is for educational, entertainment and illustrative purposes only and not a recommendation or solicitation to purchase or sell any individual security.—
David Thomas,
Forbes.com,
20 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
First the explanatory power from seeing the big picture once hidden.—
Emil Steiner,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
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While the theory was meant to be explanatory, in the sense that observers used it to explain apparently irrational behavior, it has sometimes been used in a prescriptive way, as an approach consciously adopted by leaders.—
Andrew Latham,
The Conversation,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Explicative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explicative. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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