as in to interpret
to make plain or understandable
the role of the justices of the Supreme Court in construing the constitution
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 construe
Because the current oil shock is the first one to take place since EVs became widely available, the energy crisis caused by the Iran war marks the first time that a gas-price spike cannot be construed as a universal condition.
—
Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 11 Apr. 2026
In Learning Resources, the solicitor general construed IEEPA as Congress’s attempt to codify the Court of Customs and Patent Appeals’ holding in Yoshida.
—Robert Goulder, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2026
When a contract’s plain language expressly states that a clause is not limiting, a court should not construe the clause as a limitation.
—ArsTechnica, 17 Mar. 2026
Past Presidents held back on attacking Iran for fear of damaging America’s legitimacy or its interests, broadly construed.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for construe
Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 11 Apr. 2026
In Learning Resources, the solicitor general construed IEEPA as Congress’s attempt to codify the Court of Customs and Patent Appeals’ holding in Yoshida.
—Robert Goulder, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2026
When a contract’s plain language expressly states that a clause is not limiting, a court should not construe the clause as a limitation.
—ArsTechnica, 17 Mar. 2026
Past Presidents held back on attacking Iran for fear of damaging America’s legitimacy or its interests, broadly construed.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for construe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for construe
Verb
-
While Katy Perry imagined her dress with a gothic, futuristic accent, Emma Watson interpreted the theme by wearing a dress made of water bottles.—
Blanche Marcel,
Vanity Fair,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Traditional measures of student ability are becoming harder to interpret.—
Gerald Bradshaw,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This story has been updated to clarify that while the Pittsburgh Steelers won three Super Bowls in the 1970s, Steelers teams of the 1970s were actually victorious in four Super Bowls.—
Ayana Archie,
NPR,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The Bears would not clarify publicly what those changes might be.—
Robert McCoppin,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
There will be a view of the river from the commons and interior wall graphics will illustrate the theme of the design, which incorporates the concepts of earth, air, water and fire.—
Mike Danahey,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Consider these our contemporary cupcake commandments, illustrated by three new recipes that are, as Carrie would say, fabulous.—
Shilpa Uskokovic,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Besides the driver, an amiable man who was happy to explain how the shredder worked, only a few nervous schoolchildren stood around, supervised by a woman with a badge that identified her as an envoy of the library.—
Mary Norris,
New Yorker,
1 May 2026
-
The bulletin examined nutrition in common foods (especially meat, bread, and milk), explained how the body uses food as fuel, outlined dietary standards, and considered the economy of food, food waste, and connections between food and health.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Hungarians demonstrated that a moment of divisiveness can be converted into a moment of collective agency.—
Steven P. Dinkin,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
In both matches under McFarlane, Chelsea’s players demonstrated decent defensive organisation and good energy in their press in the final third.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Light and Space was always caught up in said complex too, as a recent show at the Palm Springs Art Museum memorably explicated.—
Emily Watlington,
ARTnews.com,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Gender presentation as a theme is suggested, rather than explicated, by the yin-yang survival modes pursued by Lady and her oldest friend Pinky (Amanda Oruh), the other girl in the opening sequence.—
Sophie Monks Kaufman,
IndieWire,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
The group further elucidated that the program should chiefly prioritize reuse and repair, with retail and community-based organizations responsible for promoting and providing visibility for repair services.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Construe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/construe. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
