elucidate

verb

i-ˈlü-sə-ˌdāt How to pronounce elucidate (audio)
Definition of elucidatenext
as in to explain
to make plain or understandable colored charts that really help to elucidate the points made in the text

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb elucidate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of elucidate are explain, explicate, expound, and interpret. While all these words mean "to make something clear or understandable," elucidate stresses the throwing of light upon as by offering details or motives previously unclear or only implicit.

elucidate an obscure passage

In what contexts can explain take the place of elucidate?

While the synonyms explain and elucidate are close in meaning, explain implies a making plain or intelligible what is not immediately obvious or entirely known.

explain the rules

When might explicate be a better fit than elucidate?

The meanings of explicate and elucidate largely overlap; however, explicate adds the idea of a developed or detailed analysis.

explicate a poem

When would expound be a good substitute for elucidate?

The words expound and elucidate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, expound implies a careful often elaborate explanation.

expounding a scientific theory

How are the words interpret and explain related as synonyms of elucidate?

Interpret adds to explain the need for imagination or sympathy or special knowledge in dealing with something.

interpreting a work of art

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 elucidate However, there are strong definitional issues when attempting to elucidate blogs within a journalism context. — Jeremy Saks, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May 2026 Basically, whenever John and Yoko talk about something vaguely abstract, Soderbergh elucidates his words with the help of Meta’s video-generative tools. — Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 15 May 2026 To find and elucidate the humanity that transcends individual circumstance? — Glen Weldon, NPR, 10 May 2026 Countless stories elucidate the ways perpetrators and those near them (whether in ethnic, religious or political communities) respond when girls and boys tell about abuse. — Lynn Dewoskin Covarrubias, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for elucidate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elucidate
  1. explain
  2. clarify
  3. illustrate
  4. demonstrate
Verb
  • Kelly said she was impressed by Sand’s ability to not only answer complex policy questions off the cuff but also to explain the context of the issue for others in the audience who might not have been as familiar.
    — Gabrielle M. Etzel, The Washington Examiner, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Faulk explained the section from the Old Applehill Road to Douglas Street is considered a limited access highway because the state does not want businesses creating their own access points.
    — Lynn Kutter, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of explain
Verb
  • Mayer also clarified that a new single is definitely coming this year.
    — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The court wants the parties to clarify the impact of DeWine’s executive order on the case.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of clarify
Verb
  • Its flight heritage illustrates the importance of dependable computing hardware in missions where repairs are difficult or impossible.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The incident illustrates the failures of trust and safety provisions that are supposed to protect against this kind of confusion.
    — Mia Sato, The Verge, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of illustrate
Verb
  • The improvement demonstrates how low-noise lasers and high-quality optical resonators can increase rotation sensitivity on a photonic chip.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Their accounts demonstrate how AI is blurring the line between what's real and what's fake in the already fraught arena of online dating.
    — Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of demonstrate

Browse Nearby Words

elsewhere
elucidate
elucidated
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Cite this Entry

“Elucidate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elucidate. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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