elucidate

verb

i-ˈlü-sə-ˌdāt How to pronounce elucidate (audio)
Definition of elucidatenext
as in to explain
to make plain or understandable colored charts that really help to elucidate the points made in the text

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb elucidate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of elucidate are explain, explicate, expound, and interpret. While all these words mean "to make something clear or understandable," elucidate stresses the throwing of light upon as by offering details or motives previously unclear or only implicit.

elucidate an obscure passage

In what contexts can explain take the place of elucidate?

While the synonyms explain and elucidate are close in meaning, explain implies a making plain or intelligible what is not immediately obvious or entirely known.

explain the rules

When might explicate be a better fit than elucidate?

The meanings of explicate and elucidate largely overlap; however, explicate adds the idea of a developed or detailed analysis.

explicate a poem

When would expound be a good substitute for elucidate?

The words expound and elucidate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, expound implies a careful often elaborate explanation.

expounding a scientific theory

How are the words interpret and explain related as synonyms of elucidate?

Interpret adds to explain the need for imagination or sympathy or special knowledge in dealing with something.

interpreting a work of art

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 elucidate To find and elucidate the humanity that transcends individual circumstance? — Glen Weldon, NPR, 10 May 2026 Basically, whenever John and Yoko talk about something vaguely abstract, Soderbergh elucidates his words with the help of Meta’s video-generative tools. — Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 15 May 2026 FinCEN seeks information to elucidate opaque ownership structures that can obscure the natural persons behind real estate ownership, regardless of formal legal labels. — Martin Shenkman, Forbes.com, 2 Mar. 2026 The group further elucidated that the program should chiefly prioritize reuse and repair, with retail and community-based organizations responsible for promoting and providing visibility for repair services. — Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 2 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for elucidate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elucidate
  1. explain
  2. clarify
  3. illustrate
  4. demonstrate
Verb
  • Carpino retired in April, without ever explaining what was not right in the organization or, based on the standings, repairing it.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • Davies explains that Provenance adds value, as does good condition, because textiles are particularly unforgiving and easy to damage.
    — Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 July 2026
Definition of explain
Verb
  • Known for his deep technical knowledge and signature milk punches, Gibson has brought that ingenuity to Lucky Star through his reserved cocktails, such as the cookies and cream made with rum, clarified milk tea and creme de cacao.
    — Blair Crosby, AJC.com, 5 July 2026
  • During Murdaugh’s first status hearing on Monday, June 29, Judge Debra McCaslin did not rule on the DNA evidence, telling defense attorneys to clarify if the sample was viable.
    — Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of clarify
Verb
  • The Pew report illustrates why homeownership is increasingly the province of older Americans, and why first-time buyers seem like a vanishing breed.
    — Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • The design and materials of devices such as bone saws, fleams and scarifacators – used to bleed veins and skin surfaces – illustrate the close affinity of humans with other animals.
    — Katherine Ott, The Conversation, 2 July 2026
Definition of illustrate
Verb
  • Alnaji was part of a pro-Palestinian group protesting over the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and Kessler was demonstrating in support of Israel, authorities have said.
    — Phil Helsel, NBC news, 2 July 2026
  • The resulting bio-char demonstrated a heating value of 29 MJ/kg, meaning that burning 1 kg of the fuel will provide 29 MJ of thermal energy.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 1 July 2026
Definition of demonstrate

Browse Nearby Words

elsewhere
elucidate
elucidated
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Elucidate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elucidate. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on elucidate

Nglish: Translation of elucidate for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All