1
as in to clarify
to make plain or understandable
a pamphlet that explains the medical procedure in language that any layperson can understand
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to justify
to give the reason for or cause of
can you explain your very odd behavior at the wedding reception?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of explain
About 45 minutes later, the Charlotte native explained his mistake to the media — one that negated a Tar Heel comeback from 24 points down in the second half.
—
Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 15 Mar. 2025
In a post to TikTok on March 5 that has been viewed 2.5 million times, Gooding explained how things started.
—Mark Davis, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2025
This find is particularly exciting, explained Ritvik Basant, who is a Ph.D. student at the University of Chicago and an author on a paper about the new discovery.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 15 Mar. 2025
The United States Department of Justice revealed the arrest on May 13, 2020, explaining that Fayne, who also goes by the name Arkansas Mo, had been arrested on federal bank fraud charges arising from a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan.
—Diane J. Cho, People.com, 15 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for explain
Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 15 Mar. 2025
In a post to TikTok on March 5 that has been viewed 2.5 million times, Gooding explained how things started.
—Mark Davis, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2025
This find is particularly exciting, explained Ritvik Basant, who is a Ph.D. student at the University of Chicago and an author on a paper about the new discovery.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 15 Mar. 2025
The United States Department of Justice revealed the arrest on May 13, 2020, explaining that Fayne, who also goes by the name Arkansas Mo, had been arrested on federal bank fraud charges arising from a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan.
—Diane J. Cho, People.com, 15 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for explain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explain
Verb
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This article has been updated to clarify that the U.S. Department of Education erroneously listed The University of Tulsa instead of the University of Oklahoma, Tulsa School of Medicine.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
14 Mar. 2025
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More discussions, and probably a phone call between the Russian and U.S. presidents, will be needed to clarify whether Mr. Putin’s slow-walking approach is just an attempt to bury the whole U.S. plan, or just evidence of an abundance of caution, experts say.—
Fred Weir,
The Christian Science Monitor,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Many are wondering how this happened and how it can possibly be justified.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes,
14 Mar. 2025
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Insurers struggle to justify and approve budgets for costly testing regimes like a PET scan, which can cost as much as $8,000 per test.—
Hilary Tetenbaum,
USA TODAY,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Such collections illustrate the unique and tough-to-replicate advantages of manufacturing in the City of Angels.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
10 Mar. 2025
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Overall Vital Considerations Of course, the example shown is a relatively simple one and was merely undertaken to quickly illustrate how this works.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes,
10 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Harrods has also optimized its profitability by rationalizing sizing across its clothing offer.—
Esade Business & Law School,
Forbes,
12 Mar. 2025
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The company continues to rationalize its store fleet, but at this point primarily with Banana Republic.—
David Moin,
WWD,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The partnership, which is inclusive of the club’s men’s and women’s teams, will drive awareness of the Maldives as a tourist destination, while demonstrating the activities, heritage and locations the island country has to offer.—
Sportico Staff,
Sportico.com,
14 Mar. 2025
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Zare’s team demonstrated the existence of micro-lightning, very small electricity discharges that occur between tiny droplets of water spray.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
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However, advocates on all sides of the debate have called for making sense of the myriad visa types and simplifying the system.—
Tommy Tuberville,
Newsweek,
7 Mar. 2025
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Most of Apple’s choices in the 16e seem to serve the goal of unifying the whole iPhone lineup to simplify the message for consumers and make things easier for Apple to manage efficiently, but the dropping of MagSafe is bizarre.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The hope now for David Cassirer and his family is that the 9th Circuit will interpret the California law passed last year to take precedence over federal law.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Mar. 2025
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This happens because the brain interprets rejection—or even the fear of rejection—as a potential relational risk, activating survival mechanisms rather than connection.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
10 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Explain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explain. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
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