Synonyms
Examples of explanatory in a Sentence
There are explanatory notes at the front of the book.
the explanatory section has as its heading “What the New Tax Changes Mean”
Recent Examples on the Web
ProPublica received Pulitzer Prizes for national reporting in 2020, feature writing in 2019, public service in 2017, explanatory reporting in 2016, national reporting in 2011 and investigative reporting in 2010.
—
ProPublica, 6 May 2024
The Associated Press receives support from Charles Schwab Foundation for educational and explanatory reporting to improve financial literacy.
—Cora Lewis, Fortune, 3 May 2024
Near the end of this downhearted saga, Esmeralda gives a speech, explanatory despite its poetic language, about the mistreatment of her people in this country — her fury even more palpable in her delivery than in the words themselves.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 12 Apr. 2024
Then, nearly as quickly as mirror neurons caught on, scientific doubts about their explanatory power crept in.
—Quanta Magazine, 2 Apr. 2024
Why publish a tactile book on eclipses? NASA has lots of explanatory material that helps people visualize and understand rare phenomena like eclipses.
—Cassandra Runyon, The Conversation, 22 Mar. 2024
Caitlin Dickerson of The Atlantic received the 2023 Pulitzer in explanatory reporting for her reporting on family separations at the U.S.-Mexico border.
—Rafael Carranza, The Arizona Republic, 21 Mar. 2024
Before Kensington Palace’s explanatory social media post, NBC News had requested comment from the household without reply.
—Alexander Smith, NBC News, 11 Mar. 2024
Two explanatory notes that X users appended to Porter’s social media post offered helpful context.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024
ProPublica, 6 May 2024
The Associated Press receives support from Charles Schwab Foundation for educational and explanatory reporting to improve financial literacy.
—Cora Lewis, Fortune, 3 May 2024
Near the end of this downhearted saga, Esmeralda gives a speech, explanatory despite its poetic language, about the mistreatment of her people in this country — her fury even more palpable in her delivery than in the words themselves.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 12 Apr. 2024
Then, nearly as quickly as mirror neurons caught on, scientific doubts about their explanatory power crept in.
—Quanta Magazine, 2 Apr. 2024
Why publish a tactile book on eclipses? NASA has lots of explanatory material that helps people visualize and understand rare phenomena like eclipses.
—Cassandra Runyon, The Conversation, 22 Mar. 2024
Caitlin Dickerson of The Atlantic received the 2023 Pulitzer in explanatory reporting for her reporting on family separations at the U.S.-Mexico border.
—Rafael Carranza, The Arizona Republic, 21 Mar. 2024
Before Kensington Palace’s explanatory social media post, NBC News had requested comment from the household without reply.
—Alexander Smith, NBC News, 11 Mar. 2024
Two explanatory notes that X users appended to Porter’s social media post offered helpful context.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'explanatory.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near explanatory
Cite this Entry
“Explanatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/explanatory. Accessed 17 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
explanatory
adjective
ex·plan·a·to·ry
ik-ˈsplan-ə-ˌtōr-ē 
-ˌtȯr-
: serving to explain
explanatory notes
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share