as in interpretive
serving to explain
an expository piece on the workings of the internal-combustion engine
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of expository
The film is obvious in telegraphing its spooky sequences and its expository ones.
—
J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 3 Sep. 2025
But the artifacts of the New Literalism seem to embrace mediation, even to double down on it with their supplementary signposts, historical snapshots, and expository tics.
—Namwali Serpell, The New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2025
The first couple episodes begin with ominous cold opens new to the material, tackling the expository scientific explanation for the horrors to come in clever ways.
—A.a. Dowd, Chron, 10 Jan. 2023
Part of that can be attributed to the tendency to tidy up Big Conversations with pat remarks and swift expository dialogue.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Dec. 2022
See All Example Sentences for expository
J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 3 Sep. 2025
But the artifacts of the New Literalism seem to embrace mediation, even to double down on it with their supplementary signposts, historical snapshots, and expository tics.
—Namwali Serpell, The New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2025
The first couple episodes begin with ominous cold opens new to the material, tackling the expository scientific explanation for the horrors to come in clever ways.
—A.a. Dowd, Chron, 10 Jan. 2023
Part of that can be attributed to the tendency to tidy up Big Conversations with pat remarks and swift expository dialogue.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Dec. 2022
See All Example Sentences for expository
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expository
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
-
Emmie’s condition is an interpretative riddle for both her parents and the reader.—
Giles Harvey,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Will the academy troll Chalamet (and the rest of us) with an interpretative dance performance?—
Glenn Whipp,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Expository.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expository. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
