1
as in interpretation
a statement that makes something clear
an explanation of photosynthesis that most museum visitors will be able to understand
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in reason
a statement given to explain a belief or act
when questioned by authorities, the students were at a loss for an explanation for their senseless vandalism
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of explanation
The mismanagement of the past cannot be changed with more investigations and explanations.
—
Letters To The Editor, Orlando Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2025
The Miller-Urey experiment provided one possible explanation for how gases like methane, ammonia, and hydrogen could create these organic molecules via lightning strikes.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 14 Mar. 2025
He’s struggled to find explanations for some of the deletions other than spite.
—Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2025
Many viewers of the talk show raised concerns after the 42-year-old singer missed a taping earlier this month with very little notice and no explanation.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for explanation
Letters To The Editor, Orlando Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2025
The Miller-Urey experiment provided one possible explanation for how gases like methane, ammonia, and hydrogen could create these organic molecules via lightning strikes.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 14 Mar. 2025
He’s struggled to find explanations for some of the deletions other than spite.
—Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2025
Many viewers of the talk show raised concerns after the 42-year-old singer missed a taping earlier this month with very little notice and no explanation.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for explanation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explanation
Noun
-
Legal experts also viewed its interpretation of Title IX as problematic.—
Jennifer Smith Richards,
ProPublica,
11 Mar. 2025
-
However, traditional imaging methods have limitations, including interpretation errors, lengthy analysis times and restricted integration with other clinical data.—
Paul Kovalenko,
Forbes,
11 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Those types of metrics are part of the reason Knoblauch is advocating for Draisaitl to win the Selke Trophy to go along with a strong Hart case.—
Daniel Nugent-Bowman,
The Athletic,
15 Mar. 2025
-
In recent years, Quinlin began to research equally noteworthy Irish people connected to Boston through many other reasons.—
Michele Herrmann,
Forbes,
15 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
But along with the angry calls and Facebook messages, Vito’s has been praised and thanked for hanging the illustration.—
Lorena O'Neil,
Rolling Stone,
9 Mar. 2025
-
The other medieval link comes from the ‘allegorical’ aspect of the jewelry, as the illustrations in the pieces tell a story across the entire collection.—
Kyle Roderick,
Forbes,
6 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
There is also wide agreement that the argument conflicts with more than a century of Supreme Court precedent that protects citizenship for most everyone born on U.S. soil, except for the children of foreign diplomats.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
14 Mar. 2025
-
The pushing back of opening arguments by a week was an acknowledgment by the judge that litigating some of those issues could take additional time.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The post sparked much debate among Reddit users, and opinions were divided over whether or not the OP owed the woman an apology.—
Toria Sheffield,
People.com,
9 Mar. 2025
-
Trump is the one who owes an apology—and his resignation—to the world.—
William Lambers,
Newsweek,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
No confirmation hearings have been scheduled yet for Long, a career auctioneer with no college degree or formal training in tax, law or accounting.—
Megan Poinski,
Forbes,
11 Mar. 2025
-
The affliction is incurable, but Kevin treated his audience to detailed accountings of his treatments and of the status of his health, often with good humor, after he was first diagnosed in 2014.—
Michael Hiltzik,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The passing reference to transgender men in the original grant application appears to be the sole justification for its cancellation.—
Dan Ruetenik,
CBS News,
10 Mar. 2025
-
Take the issue of emissions – the main justification for the pause.—
Wayne Winegarden,
Forbes,
10 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
This connection helps form a proactive trust, where leaders openly share their thoughts, decisions and rationale with employees in a very inclusive way, with humility and passion.—
Edward DeAngelis,
Forbes,
20 Mar. 2025
-
Reyes said the Defense Department offered no real evidence to back up the new policy − and, in fact, provided less rationale for the policy than the administration gave for Trump’s executive order to end the use of paper straws.—
Bart Jansen,
USA TODAY,
19 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Explanation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explanation. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share