as in obvious
easy to understand without explanation
a self-explanatory phrase The chapter titles of the book are self-explanatory.
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Recent Examples of self-explanatory
The American Civil Liberties Union, which is leading the challenge to the executive order, argues the text of the 14th Amendment is largely self-explanatory.
—
Josh Feldman, NBC news, 1 Apr. 2026
This one is pretty self-explanatory.
—Katie Grant, Parents, 4 Mar. 2026
Some of them, like the washtub, are fairly self-explanatory.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026
The word bombogenesis is a combination of cyclogenesis, which describes the formation of a cyclone or storm, and bomb, which is pretty self-explanatory.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-explanatory
Josh Feldman, NBC news, 1 Apr. 2026
This one is pretty self-explanatory.
—Katie Grant, Parents, 4 Mar. 2026
Some of them, like the washtub, are fairly self-explanatory.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026
The word bombogenesis is a combination of cyclogenesis, which describes the formation of a cyclone or storm, and bomb, which is pretty self-explanatory.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-explanatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-explanatory
Adjective
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Here, a crucial asymmetry becomes obvious.—
Anand Menon,
Time,
13 June 2026
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Move The Bird Bath or Bird Feeder This may seem obvious, but if your bird bath or bird feeder is close to the porch, your home is a good landing spot for birds to enjoy.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
13 June 2026
Adjective
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Kids will get the messages that Plensa espouses as quickly as adults, but this work is an easy, comprehensible introduction to how artists work, using surprising materials in inventive ways to make viewers consider the world differently.—
Ray Mark Rinaldi,
Denver Post,
7 June 2026
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Advertisement The resulting docuseries attempts, above all, to make Richards’ experience comprehensible—to place a familiar, utterly recognizable person at the center of a story many people assume could never touch them.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
1 June 2026
Adjective
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But if your data isn’t structured, accessible and understandable to AI systems, your brand simply doesn’t appear in the right places at the right time.—
Ivan Guzenko,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
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And given that the current president has put falsehoods about his predecessor on the White House’s walls, a former first family wanting to hold their own story close is understandable.—
Kelsey Ables,
The Atlantic,
9 June 2026
Adjective
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Alpert said the spirit was evident during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when employees and business owners showed up, making deliveries by electric skateboards and tuk-tuks.—
Judith Kohler,
Denver Post,
10 June 2026
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That live sports remains the mitochondria of the legacy TV model was made particularly evident when the final NFL numbers were tallied up at the end of the league’s 2025-26 campaign.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
10 June 2026
Adjective
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That confidence — and the apparent embrace of both her Chinese and American cultural identities — oozes through one particular family photograph.—
Stephy Chung,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
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The Americans gradually amplified their attack centered around Pulisic’s runs — and three minutes after an apparent goal from Balogun was erased by an offside call, Pulisic again drove the left side and got a deflected pass to the trailing Balogun, who banged it home.—
Greg Beacham,
Chicago Tribune,
13 June 2026
Adjective
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Whenever your outfit feels a little plain, these goodies will inject some welcome personality—all without blowing a hole in your budget.—
Jake Henry Smith,
Glamour,
8 June 2026
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The mezzanine’s railing alternates plain bronze spindles with miniature art deco skyscrapers.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
8 June 2026
Adjective
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The McDowells are far from alone in their struggles to find stable, straightforward child care.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
11 June 2026
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While this might rankle a certain type of science fiction reader who expects rigorous world building and a straightforward plot, Unferth’s playfulness injects new life into some trusty old tropes that have calcified into clichés.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
Adjective
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My wife goes into the kitchen and returns with beer, fruit, and a few simple dishes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
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The measure needs a simple majority to win.—
Rebecca Ellis,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-explanatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-explanatory. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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