as in interpretive
serving to explain
a dearth of explicative material to help the layman understand the difficult subject matter
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of explicative
While Clarkson was amazed by her skills, Parton was able to slip in an explicative on daytime television.
—
Vulture, 21 Dec. 2022
Much of the dialogue is obvious and explicative; young Bode sometimes sounds like a middle-aged professor.
—Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2020
There are periodic explicative orations about the state of the nation.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 1 Nov. 2019
Video posted on the Twitter feed of Robin Bell shows the explicative term in question emblazoned across the wall of the hotel, backed by a cascade of poop emojis.
—Michelle Hunter, NOLA.com, 14 Jan. 2018
Vulture, 21 Dec. 2022
Much of the dialogue is obvious and explicative; young Bode sometimes sounds like a middle-aged professor.
—Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2020
There are periodic explicative orations about the state of the nation.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 1 Nov. 2019
Video posted on the Twitter feed of Robin Bell shows the explicative term in question emblazoned across the wall of the hotel, backed by a cascade of poop emojis.
—Michelle Hunter, NOLA.com, 14 Jan. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explicative
Adjective
-
The plan is to turn the station into an interpretive center, where people can learn about the family’s story and the stories of Black travelers during Jim Crow.—
Jonathan Bullington,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Barbie Zelizer refers to the place where meanings are constructed, shared, and redefined as the interpretive community of journalism.—
Florian Wintterlin,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Emmie’s condition is an interpretative riddle for both her parents and the reader.—
Giles Harvey,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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Will the academy troll Chalamet (and the rest of us) with an interpretative dance performance?—
Glenn Whipp,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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That’s illustrative, not guaranteed, and real returns will vary with market conditions.—
Allison Palmer,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 Apr. 2026
-
But last night was illustrative of his season so far.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Even so, finding more explanatory mechanisms hasn’t been top of mind for neuroscientists.—
Yasemin Saplakoglu,
Quanta Magazine,
24 Apr. 2026
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Read’s book is a great explanatory account of the industry, connecting big, nebulous ideas like neoliberalism to actual concrete things.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Explicative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explicative. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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