1
as in illustrates
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 justifies
to give the reason for or cause of
can you explain your very odd behavior at the wedding reception?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of explains
Mike Jones of The Athletic explains why the lack of top-tier quarterback prospects beyond Fernando Mendoza limits the intrigue typically expected of NFL drafts.
—
Andrew Greif, NBC news, 24 Apr. 2026
Each mural is accompanied by a link to the project’s website, which explains its mission and provides background on and pictures of each plant species featured in the murals.
—Madeline King, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Massive government support explains a big part of their success.
—Jamie Lincoln Kitman, Rolling Stone, 24 Apr. 2026
That fact also explains the name of the new steakhouse from the hospitality company Grupo Orfano, which is opening the restaurant on the ground level of the Mayfair plaza in the Grove on May 4 with a cocktail program created by one of the best bars in the world.
—Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
In response to a request for comment, the attorney general’s office pointed the Washington Examiner to an op-ed, published by Ellison after the tape was leaked in 2025, that explains his version of events.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 24 Apr. 2026
One final metric that explains the nature of Bromley’s style is their passing sequences.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Knight explains that, over the last 20 years, the beach has typically seen 80 to 115 nests (with 100 to 120 eggs in each nest).
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
The color of an olive indicates its ripeness at harvest, explains Cleveland.
—Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 23 Apr. 2026
Andrew Greif, NBC news, 24 Apr. 2026
Each mural is accompanied by a link to the project’s website, which explains its mission and provides background on and pictures of each plant species featured in the murals.
—Madeline King, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Massive government support explains a big part of their success.
—Jamie Lincoln Kitman, Rolling Stone, 24 Apr. 2026
That fact also explains the name of the new steakhouse from the hospitality company Grupo Orfano, which is opening the restaurant on the ground level of the Mayfair plaza in the Grove on May 4 with a cocktail program created by one of the best bars in the world.
—Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
In response to a request for comment, the attorney general’s office pointed the Washington Examiner to an op-ed, published by Ellison after the tape was leaked in 2025, that explains his version of events.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 24 Apr. 2026
One final metric that explains the nature of Bromley’s style is their passing sequences.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Knight explains that, over the last 20 years, the beach has typically seen 80 to 115 nests (with 100 to 120 eggs in each nest).
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
The color of an olive indicates its ripeness at harvest, explains Cleveland.
—Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 23 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explains
Verb
-
But the central bank’s latest meeting illustrates the quagmire Warsh is about to wade into.—
Eleanor Mueller,
semafor.com,
29 Apr. 2026
-
But the Manus episode illustrates the limits of that strategy.—
Dewardric L. McNeal,
CNBC,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The bulls claim that trend justifies today’s valuations, and that EPS can keep rolling in double-digits while national income trudges at a nominal 5% or so.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
19 Apr. 2026
-
For those willing to make the trip, the standard of care justifies every mile.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The attorney then clarifies if his testimony is that Randklev went through the training, but had not read any part of the act.—
Fousia Abdullahi,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The platform compares plans based on usage and clarifies performance and speed requirements so users can pick a long-term plan that suits their household.—
Wyles Daniel,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But as another voter rationalizes, the sheer size of the ballot will do more harm than good in the long run.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
12 Mar. 2026
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True crime, as a genre, rationalizes its exploitations—people’s tragedies and traumas, recast for popular consumption—by couching the sensationalism in considerations of justice.—
Megan Garber,
The Atlantic,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Trump has argued that last weekend’s shooting at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner demonstrates why the ballroom is needed to hold safe, secure events for the president and other officials.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
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The initiative not only strengthens Australia’s defence posture but also demonstrates the growing importance of advanced land systems in addressing the security challenges of the future.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This greatly simplifies things.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
19 Apr. 2026
-
AcePDF Converter & Editor simplifies the whole process by putting everything in one place.—
StackCommerce Team,
PC Magazine,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But a sweeping new analysis from Morgan Stanley Research offers a finding that cuts against the fear — and quietly illuminates something far more consequential about how AI is reshaping the American economy.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
29 Apr. 2026
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Their struggle has upturned the tabletop candle that illuminates the scene and any moment will surely extinguish it, effacing the giddy pattern formed by the writhing bodies and glowing, veiny bladder skin.—
Julian Bell,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Explains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explains. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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