1
as in interpretation
a statement that makes something clear
an explanation of photosynthesis that most museum visitors will be able to understand
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in reason
a statement given to explain a belief or act
when questioned by authorities, the students were at a loss for an explanation for their senseless vandalism
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of explanation
Adelman insisted that his team demonstrated competitive spirit, citing the make-or-break league as an explanation for the loss.
—
Troy Renck, Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2026
That explanation didn’t stop Bass and Curren, who represents the area in question, from throwing shade Raman’s way.
—Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
One explanation is simply that investors are doubtful of new highs in stocks and hedging against risks like the Iran war and crude oil.
—Oliver Renick, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
There are some obvious explanations.
—Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for explanation
Troy Renck, Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2026
That explanation didn’t stop Bass and Curren, who represents the area in question, from throwing shade Raman’s way.
—Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
One explanation is simply that investors are doubtful of new highs in stocks and hedging against risks like the Iran war and crude oil.
—Oliver Renick, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
There are some obvious explanations.
—Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for explanation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explanation
Noun
-
History belies that interpretation, as prior to the amendment, common law prevailed and all (except Blacks, Amerindians and offspring of diplomats) were regarded as citizens at birth (one of the unenumerated rights of the Ninth Amendment).—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2026
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But Serkis’ interpretation gives viewers closure.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The assassination attempt failed — and Hinckley was arrested, tried and found not guilty by reason of insanity in 1982.—
Kelsie Cairns,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
-
McCollum’s line was one of the biggest reasons the game never got complicated.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Millwall was blindsided by the educational pamphlet that featured the southeast London club’s badge edited onto an illustration of a Ku Klux Klan robe.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Apr. 2026
-
But quantum mechanically, position and momentum can’t be simultaneously defined for any quantum of matter or energy; that’s one clear illustration of an inherent contradiction between these two frameworks for viewing the Universe.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The defendant got into some sort of argument with Velasquez, who was sitting on a stool outside the store, before the deadly conflict.—
City News Service,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
-
As the argument continued, Alexander and his 62-year-old father, in turn, urinated on his neighbor’s yard in apparent retaliation for the dog’s actions, prosecutors say.—
Kerry Burke,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
When Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi noted that the Strait of Hormuz was open for commercial shipping last week, he was sharply attacked by regime hard-liners, forcing other officials to issue swift clarifications.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
22 Apr. 2026
-
The Washington Examiner reached out to the Hudson Institution for clarification on the basis for Haley’s claim but did not receive a response.—
Mike Brest,
The Washington Examiner,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
At 32, he is done playing and no apologies are necessary for how his career played out with the Broncos.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Last week, Altman issued an apology letter to the small community of Tumbler Ridge, in British Columbia, for not alerting law enforcement to the ChatGPT account of the shooter.—
Lauren Fichten,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The documents also indicate the accounting Live Nation has used to determine payouts to artists and other partners appeared to differ from its own internal profit numbers.—
Gretchen Morgenson,
NBC news,
24 Apr. 2026
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Keeping a running total and reconciling it with the estate’s bank statements can help ensure accurate accounting throughout probate.—
Nancy Ashburn,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Democrats challenged contradictions in the war’s justification, noting that Iran’s nuclear facilities were already reportedly destroyed in 2025.—
Ben Finley,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
-
When those forces converge, the subsidy that makes AI accessible to ordinary workers will lose its justification.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Explanation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explanation. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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