as in explanation
a statement that makes something clear
any explication of Einstein's theory of relativity probably wouldn't help me much
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Recent Examples of explication
Passover is not about a historical event but about a metaphoric explication of an ideal.
—
Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
Worthy of detailed explication?
—Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 20 Jan. 2026
Presumably at some point the filmmakers will unlock CW’s mystery with some origin-story explication.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 7 Aug. 2025
Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
Worthy of detailed explication?
—Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 20 Jan. 2026
Presumably at some point the filmmakers will unlock CW’s mystery with some origin-story explication.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explication
Noun
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The Orioles backdrop behind the two men responsible for attempting to deliver an explanation for Saturday night’s seismic firing of Alex Cora and five coaches would have been funny if the situation hadn’t been so dire.—
Brittany Ghiroli,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
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If Pat Riley opens that door or leaves that door open, deferring to Nick Arison on answers on Monday, then yes, further explanation would seem reasonable from the executive branch.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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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
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Explication.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explication. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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