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

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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 However, there are strong definitional issues when attempting to elucidate blogs within a journalism context. — Jeremy Saks, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 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 To find and elucidate the humanity that transcends individual circumstance? — Glen Weldon, NPR, 10 May 2026 Countless stories elucidate the ways perpetrators and those near them (whether in ethnic, religious or political communities) respond when girls and boys tell about abuse. — Lynn Dewoskin Covarrubias, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for elucidate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elucidate
  1. explain
  2. clarify
  3. illustrate
  4. demonstrate
Verb
  • One of the questions, directed to David Hunt, director of finance for Entergy Arkansas, asks him to explain the reasoning for the classification of the payments.
    — Sydney Sasser, Arkansas Online, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Bernadette explains the racial nuances the Guardians might not know as newcomers to Earth, echoing the landmark 1971 Green Lantern/Green Arrow comic series, which attempts to bring the space cops down to Earth by exposing them to racial strife.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of explain
Verb
  • In a statement, an Axel Springer spokesperson clarified that The Circuit was technically incorporated in the US, with staff located around the world.
    — Max Tani, semafor.com, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Pabst also originally posted that a truck was stolen, though company officials later clarified no vehicle went missing.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of clarify
Verb
  • As illustrated in this chart, following the outbreak of the Middle East conflict in late February, both WTI crude oil prices and US retail gas prices surged in tandem.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The agreement also illustrates a challenge facing advanced nuclear developers.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of illustrate
Verb
  • The South Korean auteur has directed six movies since 1997, each one demonstrating his literary sensibilities and keen eye for capturing human despair.
    — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The next step is demonstrating consistent color removal and fiber-quality retention at larger scale, with chemical consumption, wastewater quality and process control among the principal scale-up considerations.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of demonstrate

Browse Nearby Words

elsewhere
elucidate
elucidated
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Cite this Entry

“Elucidate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elucidate. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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