as in explaining
to make plain or understandable
the dating applicant spelled out exactly what she wanted in a man
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Recent Examples of spelling out
Volunteers recently took city representatives to the area to see the situation for themselves in the hope the city will install official signs spelling out the rules for bicyclists, including speed limits and the message that off-roading is prohibited.
—
Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
The governor, who has emerged as a likely candidate for the 2028 presidential race, spent much of his hour-long speech spelling out the triumphs of his administration and extolling the values of California.
—Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 9 Jan. 2026
At the same time, Xinjiang, as an obvious hotspot, hardly needs spelling out.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 29 Oct. 2025
By statute, districts must send voters a mailer spelling out those particulars.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 28 Oct. 2025
More in-depth filings spelling out Combs’ arguments for why his conviction and sentence should be overturned are expected to be submitted to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in the coming weeks, where the case will go before a three-judge panel.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2025
As Virgin Voyages' new stage show began, pink neon letters spelling out a woman's name glowed brightly in the low lights.
—Nathan Diller, USA Today, 29 Sep. 2025
Media lawyers and newsroom leaders are evaluating a government memo spelling out new rules that would sharply restrict reporting at the Pentagon.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025
The campaign was photographed and filmed by Oliver Hadlee Pearch with an original track that also has Campbell spelling out the famous Italian brand.
—Miles Socha, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025
Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
The governor, who has emerged as a likely candidate for the 2028 presidential race, spent much of his hour-long speech spelling out the triumphs of his administration and extolling the values of California.
—Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 9 Jan. 2026
At the same time, Xinjiang, as an obvious hotspot, hardly needs spelling out.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 29 Oct. 2025
By statute, districts must send voters a mailer spelling out those particulars.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 28 Oct. 2025
More in-depth filings spelling out Combs’ arguments for why his conviction and sentence should be overturned are expected to be submitted to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in the coming weeks, where the case will go before a three-judge panel.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2025
As Virgin Voyages' new stage show began, pink neon letters spelling out a woman's name glowed brightly in the low lights.
—Nathan Diller, USA Today, 29 Sep. 2025
Media lawyers and newsroom leaders are evaluating a government memo spelling out new rules that would sharply restrict reporting at the Pentagon.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025
The campaign was photographed and filmed by Oliver Hadlee Pearch with an original track that also has Campbell spelling out the famous Italian brand.
—Miles Socha, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spelling out
Verb
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Perardi emailed a photo explaining that it had been given to him as collateral.—
Matthew Bremner,
Rolling Stone,
11 Feb. 2026
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Several board members cited the legal outcome in explaining their votes against Ben Gamla.—
Grace Gilson,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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From tiny proto‑dinosaurs like Marasuchus to giants like Plateosaurus and Mamenchisaurus, 'The Dinosaurs' runs the gamut, illustrating how dinosaurs evolved across millennia in response to a volatile world.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
11 Feb. 2026
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There are times, though, when the filmmaker makes his machinations too obvious, as with the too-cute cross-cutting illustrating how the characters are all caught in the same web.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This could be clarifying for you both.—
Eric Thomas,
Sun Sentinel,
8 Feb. 2026
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Start by clarifying the need, then apply the effort.—
Tribune Content Agency,
Baltimore Sun,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Several Indonesian originals placed among the quarter’s top-performing titles, led predominantly by Vidio’s content lineup, demonstrating how homegrown productions are becoming commercially viable drivers of subscriber acquisition and retention.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
11 Feb. 2026
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Their endurance has been proven in flight testing, demonstrating high subsonic speeds – 200+ nautical mile range at low altitudes and 60+ minutes duration.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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For getting up the hill and getting across the flatter sections.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
7 Jan. 2026
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The issue has been discussed within Congress for years and has received bipartisan support, but obstacles have repeatedly stopped the effort from getting across the finish line.—
Jared Gans,
The Hill,
11 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spelling out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spelling%20out. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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