explain
verb
transitive verb
intransitive verb
Synonyms
- clarify
- clear (up)
- construe
- demonstrate
- demystify
- elucidate
- explicate
- expound
- get across
- illuminate
- illustrate
- interpret
- simplify
- spell out
- unriddle
Example Sentences
Keija Parssinen, The Atlantic, 9 Sep. 2022 Sean McDonnell reports the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio directed NOPEC to show cause and explain why its certificate to do business should not be revoked by Sept. 28. Cliff Pinckard, cleveland, 9 Sep. 2022 The veteran elections official wanted to walk through how voting apparatuses are operated, broadly explain security and answer any questions from her neighbors about the process. Dave Boucher, Detroit Free Press, 8 Sep. 2022 Visitors can walk through much of the workspace, where staff members are on hand to demonstrate and explain the weaving, knitting, lasering, tufting and embroidery techniques employed today. Diane Daniel, Washington Post, 8 Sep. 2022 The new legislation is intended to clarify the process, better define what constitutes a qualifying act of violence, and explain what steps a property owner can take to keep a place from being declared a public nuisance. George Chidi, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2022 So if anatomy doesn’t explain why pain turns chronic, what does? Haider Warraich, Scientific American, 8 Sep. 2022 According to Frank, Peters then asked a person in charge of training staff members on signature verification to come in and explain how the process works. Sue Halpern, The New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2022 So the loss or reintroduction of a predator can trigger cascading effects throughout the ecosystem, and Zanette says that killing alone doesn’t explain all those effects. Sam Zlotnik, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Sep. 2022 See More Word History
Middle English explanen, from Latin explanare, literally, to make level, from ex- + planus level, flat — more at floor
15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1b
Phrases Containing explain
Kids Definition
explain
verb
explain
verb
Synonyms & Similar Words
- clarify
- illustrate
- demonstrate
- interpret
- simplify
- elucidate
- illuminate
- explicate
- expound
- demystify
- analyze
- construe
- define
- resolve
- spell out
- specify
- decipher
- solve
- get across
- unriddle
- clear (up)
- unravel
- decode
- disentangle
- untangle
- unscramble
- undo
- annotate
- gloss
- break down
- commentate
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- obscure
- confuse
- confound
- cloud
- obfuscate
- befog
Synonyms & Similar Words
- justify
- rationalize
- explain away
- attribute
- forgive
- excuse
- condone
- account (for)
- vindicate
- absolve
- exonerate
- exculpate
- acquit
Synonym Chooser
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.
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.
The words explicate and explain can be used in similar contexts, but explicate adds the idea of a developed or detailed analysis.
Although the words expound and explain have much in common, expound implies a careful often elaborate explanation.
Interpret adds to explain the need for imagination or sympathy or special knowledge in dealing with something.