1
as in interpretations
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 reasons
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
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Recent Examples of explanations
There’s plenty of explanations.
—
R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 28 Mar. 2026
Siple notes that many are drawn to the clarity of her explanations, particularly those who prefer a structured and analytical understanding of how the mind functions.
—Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026
Because of his ability to appeal to jurors with at times folksy explanations of gruesome subjects like the dynamic of blood spatter, prosecution and defense lawyers competed for his testimony at trials.
—Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 27 Mar. 2026
One influential theory, the Global Neuronal Workspace, leaves the fleeting feelings of experience outside the scientific puzzle, treating them as irrelevant to mechanistic explanations.
—Shai Tubali, Big Think, 27 Mar. 2026
There were plenty of ordinary and dismissive explanations for what had happened, all related to the vagaries of the brain.
—Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
Scientists posited two explanations for the unusual X-ray emissions of stars like gamma-Cas.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 25 Mar. 2026
One of the most common explanations for this (and for the University City restaurant scene’s shortcomings in general) has to do with how dining districts tend to develop in the first place.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2026
Two absurd explanations were offered last week for how Poland surpassed Switzerland to become one of the world’s 20 largest economies just 34 years after the collapse of the Soviet empire.
—Editorial Board, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2026
R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 28 Mar. 2026
Siple notes that many are drawn to the clarity of her explanations, particularly those who prefer a structured and analytical understanding of how the mind functions.
—Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026
Because of his ability to appeal to jurors with at times folksy explanations of gruesome subjects like the dynamic of blood spatter, prosecution and defense lawyers competed for his testimony at trials.
—Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 27 Mar. 2026
One influential theory, the Global Neuronal Workspace, leaves the fleeting feelings of experience outside the scientific puzzle, treating them as irrelevant to mechanistic explanations.
—Shai Tubali, Big Think, 27 Mar. 2026
There were plenty of ordinary and dismissive explanations for what had happened, all related to the vagaries of the brain.
—Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
Scientists posited two explanations for the unusual X-ray emissions of stars like gamma-Cas.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 25 Mar. 2026
One of the most common explanations for this (and for the University City restaurant scene’s shortcomings in general) has to do with how dining districts tend to develop in the first place.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2026
Two absurd explanations were offered last week for how Poland surpassed Switzerland to become one of the world’s 20 largest economies just 34 years after the collapse of the Soviet empire.
—Editorial Board, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explanations
Noun
-
Creators build anticipation through commentary, while fans amplify excitement through their own interpretations.—
Partner Content,
Variety,
1 Apr. 2026
-
This openness allows the work to resonate across different perspectives, inviting multiple interpretations.—
Olga Garcia-Mayoral,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In this case, that blend of tradition and artistic interpretation resulted in a final product that stood out—if not entirely for the reasons the bride expected.—
Claire Dodds,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
-
One of the reasons American troops would be vulnerable on Kharg Island is its close proximity to the Iranian mainland, from which missiles, drones and artillery could be fired.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
His 120 illustrations are colorful, sometimes combining nature photography with Walden’s original creations to form detailed settings.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Before the three scientists’ work, chimpanzees, gorillas and orangutans were largely abstract animals to most people – zoo exhibits, textbook illustrations, evolutionary symbols.—
Mireya Mayor,
The Conversation,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
During oral arguments, several conservative justices questioned the legal foundation and practical enforcement of the policy, which aims to deny citizenship to some children born in the United States to undocumented or temporary immigrant parents.—
Ivan Taylor,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
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In February, Tobolowsky heard an hour of arguments before denying the motions to dismiss that were filed by two Gateway elders, according to the Texas Lawbook.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Though signing to Larry Jackson’s media company Gamma has given the impression of a more professional return to form, the Bully era so far has mostly consisted of Kanye rushing through apologies, then asking fans to spend hundreds of dollars to come worship him.—
Sam Goldner,
Pitchfork,
2 Apr. 2026
-
There are a lot of reasons why apologies rarely really happened, Haile said.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Gemini 3 Pro invented elaborate technical justifications for marking incorrect answers as correct, reasoning that doing so would bring the peer’s score above the shutdown threshold.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Medieval monks toiling away at poetic meditations on the divine have their place, the authors allow, but their own arguments are meant to surpass mere abstract justifications for belief.—
Elizabeth Bruenig,
The Atlantic,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Explanations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explanations. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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