EXPLAINING Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

explaining

verb

present participle of explain

as in clarifying

to make plain or understandable a pamphlet that explains the medical procedure in language that any layperson can understand

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in justifying

to give the reason for or cause of can you explain your very odd behavior at the wedding reception?

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 explaining The old boy was perfectly reasonable, explaining the difference between federal reimbursement and state reimbursement, and the speed that agencies move on the different levels. — Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026 As this is a Lynch film, explaining the rest of the plot would be a pointless exercise, but expect plentiful violence, stylish surrealism, and a road movie that’ll shock and delight in equal measure. — Daisy Jones, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2026 Google is correct that Personal Intelligence is opt-in, but the company uses various prompts and pop-ups to entice users to turn it on without fully explaining the consequences. — Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 23 Oct. 2026 Watch the clip of Yung Miami explaining Drake leaving her on read below. — Michael Saponara, Billboard, 23 Oct. 2026 Gonzalez can be seen on a video recorded by a witness cooperating with federal law enforcement explaining how her scheme worked. — Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026 The post almost immediately gathered steam after the shop responded on Instagram, explaining the item Clarkson inquired about, an animatronic yellow bird named Molly, was used for in-house magic shows. — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026 The state attorney general’s office sent the appeals judge a letter in July explaining that Mata was unable to participate because of his chemotherapy treatments. — Lizz Giordano, ProPublica, 22 Oct. 2026 But Baer feels her job in explaining the Artists Equity model to people just got a little easier with the launch of the company’s new independent label, Artists Equity Independent Pictures (AEIP). — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 22 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for explaining

Verb

Before meeting with a patient advocate, identify your main objectives – for example, preparing for a transition home, clarifying a treatment plan or understanding medication changes.

— Jennifer Schlinger, The Conversation, 6 Oct. 2026
In November 2025, South Korea proposed talks on clarifying the borderline, but North Korea didn’t respond.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of clarifying

Verb

The centerpiece of the policy originally was his use of a 1977 law to declare America's longstanding trade deficits a national emergency, justifying double-digit tariffs on almost every country on Earth.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026
Advocacy groups are fighting to unseal the OLC’s memo justifying the deadly boat strikes in international waters.

— Perry Stein, Washington Post, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of justifying

Verb

Over time, the company has aggregated a combination of destinations, tournaments, leagues and camps, illustrating how physical facilities can anchor a broader participation business rather than function simply as real-estate assets.

— Chris Russo, Sportico.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Its report points to independent software maintenance as a way for IT leaders to regain control over software budgets, illustrating its potential bias.

— Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of illustrating

Verb

In May 2024, The War Zone examined Chinese state television video showing soldiers taking cover from first-person-view (FPV) drones, using a net-catching projectile, and demonstrating a handheld jammer.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
The rise of self-harm influencers—people for whom demonstrating their distress online has become a source of income and validation—is a terrifying new development.

— Gavin Francis, The New York Review of Books, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of demonstrating

Verb

Scores of drones have crossed into Romanian airspace over the past two years, with officials attributing many of the incursions to Russia.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
This article has been updated to clarify that Sitharaman was discussing ease of exit from India's equity market, rather than attributing stock market underperformance to excess liquidity.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of attributing

Verb

All scanners and vehicles should have compatible ports, simplifying the connection.

— BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
Its modular design is intended to support installation in field environments, potentially simplifying the process of equipping vehicles with robotic capabilities.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of simplifying

Verb

Many voters have described their experiences on social media, with some falsely interpreting the troubles as attempts at election tampering to favor Republicans.

— Ali Swenson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Rafauli also drew on wabi-sabi, the Japanese philosophy that finds beauty in natural forms and imperfection, interpreting it through his own sculptural style.

— Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2026