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| Main Entry: | |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | explain in speech, writing |
| Synonyms: | call, characterize, chronicle, communicate, construe, convey image, define, delineate, depict, detail, distinguish, draw, elucidate, epitomize, exemplify, explicate, expound, express, illuminate, illustrate, image, impart, interpret, label, limn, make apparent, make clear, make sense of, make vivid, mark out, name, narrate, outline, paint, particularize, picture, portray, recite, recount, rehearse, relate, report, represent, sketch, specify, state, tell, term, trace, transmit, write up |
| Antonyms: | confuse, misrepresent, mix up |
| Main Entry: | entrench |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | establish, make inroads |
| Synonyms: | anchor, confirm, define, dig in, embed, ensconce, fence, fix, fortify, found, ground, hole up, implant, infix, ingrain, install, lodge, plant, protect, root, seat, set, settle, strengthen |
| Main Entry: | etch |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | carve |
| Synonyms: | compose, corrode, cut, define, delineate, depict, describe, eat into, engrave, erode, execute, furrow, grave, impress, imprint, incise, ingrain, inscribe, outline, picture, portray, reduce, represent, set forth, stamp |
| Main Entry: | explain |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | make clear; give a reason for |
| Synonyms: | account for, analyze, annotate, break down, bring out, clarify, clear up, construe, decipher, define, demonstrate, describe, diagram, disclose, elucidate, excuse, explicate, expound, get across, go into detail, illustrate, interpret, justify, make plain, manifest, paraphrase, point out, put across, put in plain English, rationalize, read, refine, render, resolve, reveal, set right, solve, spell out, teach, tell, throw light upon, translate, unfold, unravel, untangle |
| Notes: | explicate also contains the implication that the something of which an account is being given is more complicated or detailed - so while one may explain why a child is crying, one would explicate the meaning of a poem or implications of a legal document; early senses of explain were 'smooth out' and 'spread flat' |
| Antonyms: | be vague, complicate, confuse, mystify, obscure, perplex |
| Main Entry: | fix |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | determine, decide |
| Synonyms: | agree on, appoint, arrange, arrive at, conclude, define, establish, limit, name, resolve, set, settle, solve, specify, work, work out |
| Antonyms: | disturb, ignore, neglect |
| Main Entry: | formulate |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | plan, specify systematically |
| Synonyms: | codify, coin, compose, concoct, contrive, cook up, couch, define, detail, develop, devise, draft, draw up, dream up, evolve, express, forge, frame, give form to, hatch, indite, invent, make, make up*, map, originate, particularize, phrase, prepare, put, set down, systematize, vamp, work, work out |
* = informal/non-formal usage
| Main Entry: | hem |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | border, edge |
| Synonyms: | brim, brink, define, edging, fringe, margin, perimeter, periphery, piping, rim, selvage, skirt, skirting, trimming, verge |
| Antonyms: | body, center, interior |
| Main Entry: | hem/hem in |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | enclose, restrict |
| Synonyms: | begird, beset, border, bound, cage, circle, circumscribe, close in, confine, corral, define, edge, encircle, encompass, envelop, environ, fence, fringe, girdle, hedge in, immure, margin, pen, rim, ring, round, shut, shut in, skirt, surround, verge |
| Antonyms: | let go, release |
| Main Entry: | illuminate |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | make clear; educate |
| Synonyms: | better, clarify, clear up, construe, define, dramatize, edify, elucidate, enlighten, explain, expound, express, finish, give insight, gloss, illustrate, improve, instruct, interpret, perfect, polish, shed light on, uplight |
| Antonyms: | cloud, complicate, dull, involve, obscure |
Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition
Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2013 Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
