1
as in interpretations
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 reasons
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 explanations
Advertisement Allen also looked to provide explanations for his absence to his friends and students before leaving California on his journey, describing it as a personal emergency, officials told the New York Times.
—
Rebecca Schneid, Time, 27 Apr. 2026
Trust in the county is low after months of complaints about communications and explanations for delays.
—A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, the people still await two explanations.
—Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026
Instead, the bill calls for the FBI to submit monthly explanations for reviews of Americans' information to an oversight official as well as criminal penalties for willful abuse, among other tweaks.
—Eric McDaniel, NPR, 24 Apr. 2026
There are two broad and potentially overlapping explanations for 3I/ATLAS’s extraordinary deuterium enrichment, Manzano says.
—Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 24 Apr. 2026
There are some obvious explanations.
—Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
There are several potential explanations for that drop that could have little to do with deteriorating skills.
—Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2026
But as long as people are uncertain about or dissatisfied with the underlying explanations for why an incident happened, Parsons says, telling them that staging was physically unlikely can just invite more conspiratorial speculation.
—Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026
Rebecca Schneid, Time, 27 Apr. 2026
Trust in the county is low after months of complaints about communications and explanations for delays.
—A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, the people still await two explanations.
—Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026
Instead, the bill calls for the FBI to submit monthly explanations for reviews of Americans' information to an oversight official as well as criminal penalties for willful abuse, among other tweaks.
—Eric McDaniel, NPR, 24 Apr. 2026
There are two broad and potentially overlapping explanations for 3I/ATLAS’s extraordinary deuterium enrichment, Manzano says.
—Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 24 Apr. 2026
There are some obvious explanations.
—Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
There are several potential explanations for that drop that could have little to do with deteriorating skills.
—Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2026
But as long as people are uncertain about or dissatisfied with the underlying explanations for why an incident happened, Parsons says, telling them that staging was physically unlikely can just invite more conspiratorial speculation.
—Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explanations
Noun
-
Both are deliberately broad — an open invitation for serious fashion swings rather than literal interpretations.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Similarly, news aggregators, such as Google News, present users with lists of news stories generated by algorithms’ interpretations of other users’ behavior.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Of course, artists make choices in biographical shows for a whole variety of reasons, whether in service of the storytelling, to appease those who would prefer to remain anonymous or even self-protection.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
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One of the primary reasons that some car buyers avoid vehicles with electric powertrains is the lengthy duration of charging sessions.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Images, audio, and video Our visual content, including listing images, illustrations, and video, is produced by our editorial and art teams or sourced from photography services and wire providers.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
22 Apr. 2026
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Santat’s illustrations begin with straightforward, muted sincerity and become brighter, busier, and more gleeful—filling every corner of the page—as Sharpson’s narrator becomes ever more unhinged, ranting about fish spies, fish disguises, and fish taking over the world.—
Elise Broach,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
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During closing arguments, Lynn Johnson, an attorney for Christine and Christopher Nolte, suggested the jury award $10 million for noneconomic damages and $5 million for economic damages.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
29 Apr. 2026
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But this foundation of modern math has inspired fierce arguments since it was first proposed.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
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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
-
Seymour made no apologies for selling himself as a public servant while simultaneously seeking more power.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Grove said the agency’s justifications for consolidating offices in Salt Lake City, Utah, don’t make sense.—
Karl Hille,
Baltimore Sun,
9 Apr. 2026
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The numbers and justifications don’t add up.—
Kristen Monsell,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Explanations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explanations. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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