explains

VERB

make clear; give a reason for

Synonyms

STRONGEST

analyze clarify define demonstrate describe disclose expound illustrate interpret justify point out read resolve reveal solve spell out tell

STRONG

annotate construe decipher diagram elucidate excuse explicate manifest paraphrase rationalize refine render teach translate unfold unravel untangle

WEAK

account for break down bring out clear up get across go into detail make plain put across put in plain English set right throw light upon

Antonyms

STRONGEST

conceal confuse distort hide misrepresent misunderstand question wonder

STRONG

cloud mystify obscure stagnate tangle withhold

WEAK

be vague complicate perplex

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

explains

“I’m a first-gen Mexican American woman and I was supposed to live at home until I get married,” she explains; but it also exposed her to the concept of impostor syndrome.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 18, 2026

“I just didn’t want my food to change,” he explains.

From Salon ● Sep. 18, 2026

"The exotic muonium is very well suited to this because it is a neutral atom," explains Soter: "After all, to make something fall, you need something neutral."

From Science Daily ● Sep. 18, 2026

"It can look about a second, or so, ahead into the future for 20,000 different kind of combinations of things that might happen," Storey explains.

From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026

“Ray is getting the driveway resurfaced,” she explains.

From "The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman" by Gennifer Choldenko