Thesaurus results for EXPLANATION

explanation

noun

ˌek-splə-ˈnā-shən

Definition of explanation

as in interpretation

a statement that makes something clear an explanation of photosynthesis that most museum visitors will be able to understand

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in reason

a statement given to explain a belief or act when questioned by authorities, the students were at a loss for an explanation for their senseless vandalism

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 explanation Trying to find an explanation for why a claim was denied is a fruitless task. — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026 The Kennedy Center did not provide the Times with an explanation for why the sculpture was being removed. — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 2 Sep. 2026 That explanation, which was given to Quatraro on the field, clearly was unacceptable to the Royals manager. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026 Extraneous explanation, process, context and answers beyond the scope of the question muddy your points with unnecessary and often unhelpful information. — John Bowe, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for explanation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for explanation

Noun

Under the Taliban’s draconian interpretation of sharia, watching movies, playing chess, singing, and playing or listening to music are all banned.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 31 Aug. 2026
Under certain interpretations of the 1963 rule, courts are not allowed to weigh whether a merger might make competition stronger overall.

— Shubha Ghosh, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of interpretation

Noun

After wrapping up its longest monthly losing streak on Wall Street in more than a decade, Google has started September by giving investors several reasons for optimism.

— MacKenzie Sigalos,Drew Troast, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
Another company might have seen the same 20% decline for entirely different reasons.

— James Fratzke, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of reason

Noun

But the circumstances provide an unusually good illustration of how potentially enormous financial advantage can be gained from knowing in advance what a president is about to say.

— Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Holding cotton candy in one hand, Rani—whom Hudson shares with fiancé Danny Fujikawa—topped her long golden blonde hair with a cream cowboy hat that was embellished with her name and an illustration of a rose.

— Lara Walsh, InStyle, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of illustration

Noun

This turns into a big argument about Issa being a weird little guy, and suddenly there are multiple potential roommate schisms in the house.

— Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Computer science emerged as a distinct academic discipline in the following decades, when the research traditions of math and engineering came together, and arguments about the nature of the new field soon followed.

— Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of argument

Noun

Madison County Sheriff John Beeman did not immediately respond to IndyStar's request for clarification.

— Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 27 Aug. 2026
Ted needs further clarification, which leads Alice to liken each to the central Harry Potter characters, which in turn requires Beard to reframe it in terms of characters from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, which lines up surprisingly well.

— Keith Phipps, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of clarification

Noun

The viral moment became a topic of conversation for weeks after the show wrapped, with Rausch also gifting her a Birkin Bag as an apology for betraying her on the show.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026
The rest of the officers at the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office who were part of setting this undercover operation up and didn’t listen owe the officer an apology.

— Sean Joseph OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of apology

Browse Nearby Words

explains away

explanation

explanations

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Style

“Explanation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explanation. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of explanation

noun

Example Sentences

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