explain
Usage
What are other ways to say explain?
To explain is to make plain, clear, or intelligible something that is not known or understood: to explain a theory or a problem. To elucidate is to throw light on what before was dark and obscure, usually by illustration and commentary and sometimes by elaborate explanation: They asked him to elucidate his statement. To expound is to give a methodical, detailed, scholarly explanation of something, usually Scriptures, doctrines, or philosophy: to expound the doctrine of free will. To interpret is to give the meaning of something by paraphrase, by translation, or by an explanation based on personal opinion: to interpret a poem or a symbol.
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.
“There was so much evidence that came out in the defamation proceedings, that it would have been very hard to explain why he then wasn’t pursued” for criminal charges, she said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026
She pointed to Wall Street analysts’ rising earnings forecasts and the fact that the U.S. labor market remains on steady footing as two reasons that could possibly explain U.S. stocks’ relative resilience.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026
These processes are often difficult to explain and nearly impossible to challenge.
From Science Daily • Apr. 5, 2026
Then the conversation peters out as we try to explain what “woke” means, which is difficult enough even when you’re not talking to a dead 19th-century philosopher.
From Salon • Apr. 5, 2026
I explain to Theo everything that happened, how I figured this out.
From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse
From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.
