INTERPRET Synonyms: 67 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'interpret' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of interpret are elucidate , explain , explicate , and expound . While all these words mean "to make something clear or understandable," interpret adds to explain the need for imagination or sympathy or special knowledge in dealing with something. // interpreting a work of art

Q: When can 'elucidate' be used instead of 'interpret'?

The meanings of elucidate and interpret largely overlap; however, elucidate stresses the throwing of light upon as by offering details or motives previously unclear or only implicit. // elucidate an obscure passage

Q: When would 'explain' be a good substitute for 'interpret'?

While the synonyms explain and interpret are close in meaning, explain implies a making plain or intelligible what is not immediately obvious or entirely known. // explain the rules

Q: When is it sensible to use 'explicate' instead of 'interpret'?

In some situations, the words explicate and interpret are roughly equivalent. However, explicate adds the idea of a developed or detailed analysis. // explicate a poem

Q: When might 'expound' be a better fit than 'interpret'?

The words expound and interpret can be used in similar contexts, but expound implies a careful often elaborate explanation. // expounding a scientific theory

interpret

verb

in-ˈtər-prət

Definition of interpret next

as in to explain

to make plain or understandable a biblical passage that scholars haven't been able to interpret to everyone's satisfaction

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to play

to present a portrayal or performance of interpreted the role of Fletcher Christian in a challengingly new way

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How does the verb interpret contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of interpret are elucidate, explain, explicate, and expound. While all these words mean "to make something clear or understandable," interpret adds to explain the need for imagination or sympathy or special knowledge in dealing with something.

interpreting a work of art

When can elucidate be used instead of interpret?

The meanings of elucidate and interpret largely overlap; however, elucidate stresses the throwing of light upon as by offering details or motives previously unclear or only implicit.

elucidate an obscure passage

When would explain be a good substitute for interpret?

While the synonyms explain and interpret are close in meaning, explain implies a making plain or intelligible what is not immediately obvious or entirely known.

explain the rules

When is it sensible to use explicate instead of interpret?

In some situations, the words explicate and interpret are roughly equivalent. However, explicate adds the idea of a developed or detailed analysis.

explicate a poem

When might expound be a better fit than interpret?

The words expound and interpret can be used in similar contexts, but expound implies a careful often elaborate explanation.

expounding a scientific theory

Examples of interpret in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Recent Examples on the Web The new Maps tools are powered by Google Gemini, the company’s large language model that can interpret and respond to text, as well as parse through and generate other media like images, video, and code. —

Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Oct. 2024 Yet interpreting how the budget has landed will take time as economists and businesses assess the impact of Reeves’ announcements. —

Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune Europe, 30 Oct. 2024 But perhaps even more important than current price levels is how voters in key states interpret their experience with inflation, according to Bernard Yaros, lead economist at Oxford Economics. —

Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 30 Oct. 2024 DeWine said the provision has traditionally been interpreted to grant the public access to observe court proceedings, as well as to transcripts documenting the proceedings. —

Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 23 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for interpret

Recent Examples of Synonyms for interpret

Verb

Then again, that also might explain why candy corn is so heavily searched this time of year.

Joanna Allhands, The Arizona Republic, 29 Oct. 2024
As Vivian explained to her henchman, this plot is in Stefan’s best interest.

Andy Swift, TVLine, 28 Oct. 2024