clarifying
adjective
clar·i·fy·ing
ˈkler-ə-ˌfī-iŋ 
ˈkla-rə-
1
: making something less confusing or easier to understand : providing clarity
a clarifying question/statement
gave some clarifying information
Here is that rare bird, a clarifying book about an important and muddied subject.—
Robert Heilbroner
Robert Heilbroner… he experienced the rare clarifying moment of discovering one's talent …—Emma Sandler
Emma Sandler2
: removing impurities or particulates
clarifying lotion/shampoo
In the winery, most traditional practices and materials are sanctioned, such as the use of … bentonite clay as a clarifying agent.—Richard Steven Street
Richard Steven StreetExamples of clarifying in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But this was a clarifying moment for me, as the photo’s release validated other information my source had been sharing in recent weeks.
—Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 4 Sep. 2024
The most clarifying political moment of the era came with the 1912 presidential election, when corporate concentration was explicitly on the ballot.
—Zephyr Teachout, Foreign Affairs, 8 Dec. 2020
Kyle's clarifying questions ultimately yield a few non-clarifying answers.
—Jodi Walker, EW.com, 16 Sep. 2021
Hank Willis Thomas has meditated on the commercialization of Black stereotypes, in ways that are generally more clarifying than Colescott’s histrionic approach.
—Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 18 Aug. 2022
Tuesday against Brooklyn's collection of wings will provide a more clarifying test.
—Michael Shapiro, Chron, 6 Mar. 2023
Biden administration officials say that the Russian invasion has been a clarifying moment for some of the bigger powers in Asia as financial sanctions and export bans have been put in place to check Russia.
—Aamer Madhani and Josh Boak, Chicago Tribune, 19 May 2022
Many of them, however, went to D.C. for two previous events, which were more clarifying.
—Luke Mogelson, The New Yorker, 15 Jan. 2021
The president’s hospitalization is a clarifying moment for all, but especially for him.
—Dan Balz, Anchorage Daily News, 4 Oct. 2020
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 4 Sep. 2024
The most clarifying political moment of the era came with the 1912 presidential election, when corporate concentration was explicitly on the ballot.
—Zephyr Teachout, Foreign Affairs, 8 Dec. 2020
Kyle's clarifying questions ultimately yield a few non-clarifying answers.
—Jodi Walker, EW.com, 16 Sep. 2021
Hank Willis Thomas has meditated on the commercialization of Black stereotypes, in ways that are generally more clarifying than Colescott’s histrionic approach.
—Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 18 Aug. 2022
Tuesday against Brooklyn's collection of wings will provide a more clarifying test.
—Michael Shapiro, Chron, 6 Mar. 2023
Biden administration officials say that the Russian invasion has been a clarifying moment for some of the bigger powers in Asia as financial sanctions and export bans have been put in place to check Russia.
—Aamer Madhani and Josh Boak, Chicago Tribune, 19 May 2022
Many of them, however, went to D.C. for two previous events, which were more clarifying.
—Luke Mogelson, The New Yorker, 15 Jan. 2021
The president’s hospitalization is a clarifying moment for all, but especially for him.
—Dan Balz, Anchorage Daily News, 4 Oct. 2020
Dictionary Entries Near clarifying
Cite this Entry
“Clarifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clarifying. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share