as in to explain
to make plain or understandable
the dating applicant spelled out exactly what she wanted in a man
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Recent Examples of spell out
Officials have started a formal process to spell out exactly how Google must give competing AI assistants and services the same kind of technical access to Android features that Google uses for its own Gemini products.
—
Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 28 Jan. 2026
On its website, the IRS spells out the new deduction amounts available at different income levels.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 28 Jan. 2026
The after-action report was meant to spell out mistakes, which included not fully pre-deploying engines to the Palisades amid forecasts of dangerously high winds, and to suggest measures to avoid repeating them.
—Paul Pringle, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
In a letter to Natalie Phelps Finnie, director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, dated April 10, 2025, James Frye, vice president of governmental relations for Suntex Marinas, spelled out that the company was seeking to mutually end its state lease at North Point in Winthrop Harbor.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spell out
Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 28 Jan. 2026
On its website, the IRS spells out the new deduction amounts available at different income levels.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 28 Jan. 2026
The after-action report was meant to spell out mistakes, which included not fully pre-deploying engines to the Palisades amid forecasts of dangerously high winds, and to suggest measures to avoid repeating them.
—Paul Pringle, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
In a letter to Natalie Phelps Finnie, director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, dated April 10, 2025, James Frye, vice president of governmental relations for Suntex Marinas, spelled out that the company was seeking to mutually end its state lease at North Point in Winthrop Harbor.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spell out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spell out
Verb
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Gabbard has not explained her involvement in the case herself.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
30 Jan. 2026
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On Rough and Rowdy Ways, Dylan also reemerges as a restless, sometimes cordial, often corrosive analyst, agreeing at last to engage—if not fully to explain—the whats, hows, and, possibly whys of his creative life.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi illustrates how constitutional authoritarianism can be fused with majoritarian identity rather than relying solely on executive prerogative.—
Alejandro Reyes,
Washington Post,
3 Feb. 2026
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The exchange illustrated Halverson’s point about the dangers of people carrying and shooting guns on college campuses, and also carried the weight of the two men’s experiences handling guns.—
Seth Tupper,
States Newsroom,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Within days of the executive order, OPM issued formal government-wide implementation guidance clarifying how agencies should identify and reclassify covered positions.—
James Broughel,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
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Speaking to reporters after the debate, Stratton sought to clarify her earlier comment suggesting Border Patrol would remain in place if ICE were abolished.—
Rick Pearson,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Mayor Mamdani can prove his critics wrong, and demonstrate his commitment to his principles, by making traditional Medicare a central pillar of his health policy.—
Marianne Pizzitola,
New York Daily News,
31 Jan. 2026
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Each shot is composed with intention and elegance, and editor George Cragg demonstrates a keen understanding of which moments merit long, unbroken takes and when cuts are necessary.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spell out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spell%20out. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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