clarifying 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of clarifyingnext
as in illuminating

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clarifying

2 of 2

verb

present participle of clarify
1
as in filtering
to remove usually visible impurities from clarify the melted butter by skimming off the milky bits

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in explaining
to make plain or understandable it would help if you could clarify your position for us

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 clarifying
Adjective
Some of the most clarifying conversations about where work is headed come from people who are just entering it. — Lindsey Garito, Forbes.com, 21 May 2026 As the Virgo Moon arrives November 13 to 15, things get even more introspective, but in the best, most clarifying way. — Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 9 Nov. 2025 And that was a clarifying moment for me in my understanding of their relationship. — Max Gao, Variety, 29 Aug. 2025 These compositions have surprising emotional impact and a clarifying depth. — Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 May 2024
Verb
The work required clarifying roles and responsibilities, addressing internal conflict, establishing accountability and consistently tracking commitments. — Jason Bork, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026 All three projects will collectively contribute to better measurements of how cosmic structure is changing over time—crucial information for clarifying the nature of dark energy and dark matter in the universe’s evolution. — Lee Billings, Scientific American, 31 Aug. 2026 Reading the book feels refreshing — a clarifying antidote to a culture increasingly obsessed with idolizing and leveraging suffering. — Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026 The Justices’ daily business involves resolving ambiguities, clarifying jurisdiction, harmonizing conflicting statutes, and adjudicating conflicts in special jurisdictions. — Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 The hearing went by with little to no contention as discussions from city councilors was mostly clarifying questions on financial details. — Gabriel Brito, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 28 Aug. 2026 The clarifying formula also removes mineral deposits left behind by hard water, creating a cleaner foundation for hair with more natural movement. — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 28 Aug. 2026 Ask a clarifying question, keep your response simple, and save the deeper processing for a space that actually feels safe. — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026 David Krumholtz is clarifying his comments on stepping back from acting. — Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clarifying
  1. illuminating
  2. filtering
  3. explaining
  4. explanatory
  5. refining
  6. illustrating
  7. revealing
  8. extracting
Adjective
  • Dry skin types, on the other hand, tend to achieve better results with illuminating formulas that contain hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and squalane.
    — Jenny Berg, InStyle, 19 Aug. 2026
  • To rise above the noise, our staff will continue to use their expertise to serve up only the most interesting and illuminating ideas.
    — Jeanna Bryner, Scientific American, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of illuminating
Verb
  • Instead of filtering candidates by degree requirements alone, employers can search for the exact skills to succeed in a job.
    — Raghu Krishnaiah, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Nick Wosika / Imagn Images The positive message filtering out of the clubhouse has been the same all year.
    — Dan Hayes, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of filtering
Verb
  • Before explaining what the technology can do, understand what the customer is trying to accomplish.
    — William Arruda, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • In the Situational Awareness fund move, Griffin sent investors a letter explaining Citadel’s stock actions with the AI company.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of explaining
Adjective
  • And now, in perhaps the most ridiculous and explanatory example of the league's fandom, has seen her name banned from the WNBA subreddit.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The mods think Reddit might have designated the website—and thus any post using its content for explanatory illustrations—as spam.
    — Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of explanatory
Verb
  • The same is true of thoughtful case studies, difficult decisions explained transparently, lessons learned from failures, long-term client relationships or years spent refining a particular expertise.
    — Matteo Pittaluga, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • America catches up to the Mediterranean bowl Kfoury spent nearly a decade refining the model.
    — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of refining
Verb
  • But Wright’s case is also illustrating why the NCAA’s argument about amateurism is becoming harder to square with the economics of the modern college engine.
    — Joshua Hong, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • In recent years, Unite Here Local 11 has filed numerous complaints over the Inglewood facility, claiming various wage and health issues, illustrating a bitter battle over movement at the bargaining table.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of illustrating
Adjective
  • Three questions are worth putting to an HR lead directly, because the answers are more revealing than the brochure.
    — Jasmine Browley, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Perhaps most revealing among the disclosures, however, is that Shein spends considerably more on moving and selling products than on making them.
    — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of revealing
Verb
  • The approach could improve propulsion efficiency by extracting more useful energy from the combustion process.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026
  • For example, extracting invoice data is only one part of the accounts payable (AP) process.
    — Eranda Maldeniya, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of extracting

Browse Nearby Words

clarify
clarifying
clarinetist
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Cite this Entry

“Clarifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clarifying. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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