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

Synonym Chooser

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 In a post on X, Piker also explained how Ossoff’s Israel stance was what sparked his initial excitement about the senator. — Joseph Strauss, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026 Sexton explains in a voiceover that no DNA or fingerprints were found at the Topeka home where Mike Sisco and his partner, Karen Harkness, were killed in 2002. — Alexandra Schonfeld, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026 Here’s a story from 1985 that explains Williams’ journey and the twists and turns. — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026 Those figures, Cole explained, mean that events that once ran a degree or two above normal in the Galápagos now run three or four. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 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
  • 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
  • The government may not decide that Church teaching is insufficiently religious, insufficiently consistent with Catholic doctrine, or insufficiently compelling to justify an ecclesiastical policy.
    — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Organizers of Tuesday's rally said the women were released from ICE detention after a judge granted their habeas corpus petitions, meaning the government was required to justify their continued detention.
    — Drew Aunkst, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of justify
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
  • At a time when antisemitism is too often minimized, rationalized or repackaged in more socially acceptable language, this kind of moral clarity matters.
    — Tom Tapp, Deadline, 22 Aug. 2026
  • The offense was bad Saturday, and there’s no spin or rationalizing the performance.
    — Zach Berman, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of rationalize
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
Verb
  • Doing all of these transformations at full scale was an obvious challenge, and so this version of the Unicorn Gundam somewhat simplified the transformation in favor of the Destroy mode.
    — Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Clear one practical snag, simplify one expectation, and give your body enough support to keep the day balanced.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of simplify
Verb
  • When officials disagree, even if legitimate based on terminology, the general public can interpret that disagreement as evidence that officials do not have a solid understanding of the outbreak.
    — Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments have been interpreted different ways over the years.
    — NBC news, NBC news, 30 Aug. 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 1 Sep. 2026.

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