explain

verb

ik-ˈsplān How to pronounce explain (audio)
Definition of explainnext
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

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How does the verb explain contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of explain are elucidate, explicate, expound, and interpret. While all these words mean "to make something clear or understandable," explain implies a making plain or intelligible what is not immediately obvious or entirely known.

explain the rules

In what contexts can elucidate take the place of explain?

While in some cases nearly identical to explain, elucidate stresses the throwing of light upon as by offering details or motives previously unclear or only implicit.

elucidate an obscure passage

When is it sensible to use explicate instead of explain?

The words explicate and explain can be used in similar contexts, but explicate adds the idea of a developed or detailed analysis.

explicate a poem

When is expound a more appropriate choice than explain?

Although the words expound and explain have much in common, expound implies a careful often elaborate explanation.

expounding a scientific theory

How are the words interpret and explain related?

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 explain The firm’s profits, Maeda explains, come mostly from sales of the Akalux drug. — Angelica Ang, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2026 Order timestamps cannot explain whether preparation was slow or a finished item waited unnoticed. — Maria Zhang, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026 The lock-ups open 27, 48, 62, and 76 days following the IPO, the filing explained. — Ashley Capoot,jordan Novet,annie Palmer,lora Kolodny,kai Nicol-Schwarz,caleigh Keating, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026 Combining viewership stats, fandom measurement and analysis of whether something will travel is vital, Otero explained. — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for explain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explain
  1. clarify
  2. justify
  3. illustrate
  4. rationalize
  5. demonstrate
  6. simplify
  7. interpret
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
  • Between those grounds and the pool, there's enough here to justify leaving part of the day unscheduled.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026
  • In this case, the AI agent carried over an earlier instruction not to send any Slack messages to OpenAI’s team, using that to justify turning off the alerts.
    — Emma Roth, The Verge, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of justify
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
  • But acting on behalf of Iran, a non-Arab Persian country composed almost entirely of Twelver Shia Muslims, was considerably more difficult to rationalize in Arab Yemen where Twelver Shia Muslims are absent and Sunnis are the majority.
    — Laurent Bonnefoy, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Ahmed doesn’t merely document the decisions that led President Biden and his aides to arm and rationalize what leading human rights organizations and legal scholars now consider a genocide.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of rationalize
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
  • Experts who are part of consultations expect the new policy to lay down clear and consistent rules, which will also help the industry overcome challenges around land acquisition and simplify a fragmented approval process.
    — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026
  • All scanners and vehicles should have compatible ports, simplifying the connection.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of simplify
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

Phrases Containing explain

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expiry
explain
explainable
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Cite this Entry

“Explain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explain. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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