construe

verb

kən-ˈstrü How to pronounce construe (audio)
Definition of construenext
as in to interpret
to make plain or understandable the role of the justices of the Supreme Court in construing the constitution

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of construe The information contained herein is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not in any way be construed as financial or health advice. — Karen Koehler, Charlotte Observer, 25 Sep. 2026 Cliches were wielded like shields Tuesday, protecting against the imminent threat of social clips construed as bulletin board material. — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026 For instance, if those involved in the sponsorship/endorsement transactions schemed to distort their actual purpose, that type of activity could be construed as money laundering. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 11 Sep. 2026 Still others have construed Clancy’s story as evidence for their own niche political beliefs. — Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for construe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for construe
  1. explain
  2. clarify
  3. illustrate
  4. demonstrate
  5. interpret
  6. explicate
  7. elucidate
Verb
  • For next year’s admissions, institutions would have to publish more detailed selection criteria and explain rejections when applicants request reasons.
    — Thomas Adamson, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Chatbots can also explain complex topics in new ways and condense an overwhelming amount of information into a simple summary.
    — Robin Brewer, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of explain
Verb
  • Supreme Court Justice Zanin later clarified the decision is valid for wherever polls were still open.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Test results should help clarify whether its propulsion system and modular design can deliver the range and flexibility L3Harris promises.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of clarify
Verb
  • Criminal conduct before citizenship The case illustrates how criminal conduct committed before naturalization can have consequences years after an immigrant becomes an American citizen.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The sellers made a mistake — and a trip to the poker table helps illustrate their folly.
    — Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of illustrate
Verb
  • In his telling, the military campaigns against Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran demonstrate the value of uncompromising power.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Completing the flight test just weeks after a captive-carry event demonstrated how quickly the program progressed through its testing sequence.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of demonstrate
Verb
  • While older generations may interpret limited eye contact, a flat expression or a pause before responding as rude, lazy or unprofessional, that might not be a younger person’s intent at all, Leahy said.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The authors concluded that improved laboratory sensitivity and statistical methods could help agencies better interpret drinking-water monitoring results.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of interpret
Verb
  • This book is a classic, explicating a theoretical base for the cause of revolution, particularly on the continent of Africa.
    — The Know, Denver Post, 13 Sep. 2026
  • The exhibit mostly circumvents contextualizing the architectural details of the office, and rather aims to explicate the man who worked within it.
    — Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 26 June 2026
Definition of explicate
Verb
  • And their extreme, alien physics may help scientists elucidate how the first generation of stars and the first galaxies came to be.
    — Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • However, studying familial genetic predispositions can help elucidate how lung cancer develops and lead to new biomarkers for early cancer detection in high-risk groups.
    — Estelamari Rodriguez, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of elucidate

Browse Nearby Words

constructs
construe
construed
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Cite this Entry

“Construe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/construe. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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