as in explains
to make plain or understandable
the dating applicant spelled out exactly what she wanted in a man
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Recent Examples of spells out
Seeing the wall police breached to give people inside the club a chance to get out, or the bathrooms and dressing rooms where people hid, prayed for survival or reached out to family and friends carries an impact that spells out this nation’s terrifying vulnerability to gun violence.
—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2026
The Trent Windsurfing Club near Nottingham, England, which communicates with members using both WhatsApp and email, spells out other considerations in a 15-point list on its website.
—ABC News, 26 Feb. 2026
The order spells out the exact amount of money that each of the 106 women are owed.
—Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
Xi spells out yuan reserve currency goal China’s leader called for the yuan to become a global reserve currency, part of Beijing’s efforts to play a larger role in international financial systems.
—semafor.com, 3 Feb. 2026
City Council President Linda Barnes-Caldwell, D-5th, authored the ordinance, expected to be approved Tuesday, that spells out the funding framework for the project.
—Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026
An extreme cold watch in Iowa spells out the dangerous conditions for the days ahead.
—Cooper Worth, Des Moines Register, 21 Jan. 2026
An episode featuring Brody’s real-life wife Leighton Meester tries to fill in some backstory blanks, as does an episode that spells out how Joanne’s parents’ divorce impacted her.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2025
Texas law spells out when the state can step in if a school district struggles for too long to meet academic or leadership standards.
—Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Oct. 2025
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2026
The Trent Windsurfing Club near Nottingham, England, which communicates with members using both WhatsApp and email, spells out other considerations in a 15-point list on its website.
—ABC News, 26 Feb. 2026
The order spells out the exact amount of money that each of the 106 women are owed.
—Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
Xi spells out yuan reserve currency goal China’s leader called for the yuan to become a global reserve currency, part of Beijing’s efforts to play a larger role in international financial systems.
—semafor.com, 3 Feb. 2026
City Council President Linda Barnes-Caldwell, D-5th, authored the ordinance, expected to be approved Tuesday, that spells out the funding framework for the project.
—Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026
An extreme cold watch in Iowa spells out the dangerous conditions for the days ahead.
—Cooper Worth, Des Moines Register, 21 Jan. 2026
An episode featuring Brody’s real-life wife Leighton Meester tries to fill in some backstory blanks, as does an episode that spells out how Joanne’s parents’ divorce impacted her.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2025
Texas law spells out when the state can step in if a school district struggles for too long to meet academic or leadership standards.
—Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spells out
Verb
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The brand grew out of Pacific Pharma (now part of Amorepacific), which explains its derm-minded approach.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
21 Mar. 2026
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This is where the real magic will happen, the Navy explains.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But nothing illustrates the need quite as clearly as seeing it firsthand.—
John Garrahan,
The Providence Journal,
19 Mar. 2026
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The story of how the Higgs particle was discovered illustrates this.—
Mariangela Lisanti,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Your 11th House of Social Networks brightens as the intuitive Moon conjoins studious Mercury, so thoughtful outreach strengthens bonds and clarifies shared goals, especially within teams and community circles.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
17 Mar. 2026
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The agreement clarifies that the court denied Morris’ motion to dismiss based on the ecclesiastical abstention doctrine.—
Alexa Shrake,
Dallas Morning News,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Overall, the property demonstrates a strong commitment to environmental responsibility, ethical labor standards, and cultural preservation.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Patience demonstrates care and prevents avoidable mix-ups.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spells out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spells%20out. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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