explanative

adjective

ik-ˈspla-nə-tiv How to pronounce explanative (audio)
Definition of explanativenext
as in interpretive
serving to explain an edition of Melville's novel that could use more explanative footnotes about whaling

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for explanative
  1. illustrative
  2. illuminative
  3. explanatory
Adjective
  • In response, Baldoni’s counsel has alleged that the text messages illustrative of the smear campaign in the Times article were cherry-picked and taken out of context.
    Nicole Page, IndieWire, 6 Jan. 2025
  • Newcastle’s rolling position on the hope-o-meter is illustrative of this: 2022-23; third and 96 per cent optimistic, 2023-24; fifth at 91 per cent, 2024-25; joint-seventh with 89 per cent.
    George Caulkin, The Athletic, 14 Aug. 2024
Definition of illustrative
Adjective
  • Hybrid lanterns that meet the aforementioned criteria are indeed out there, waiting to illuminate your next campsite, glamping trip, picnic, late-night reading session, or simply to add a little illuminative flare to that embarrassingly barren bookshelf in time for the next Zoom meeting.
    J.D. Simkins, Sunset Magazine, 17 Feb. 2022
  • Along the way, Robbins spices his story through illuminative moments and mini-biographies.
    OregonLive.com, OregonLive.com, 14 Oct. 2017
Definition of illuminative
Adjective
  • In 2020, he was named alongside his colleagues as a Pulitzer Prize finalist in explanatory reporting.
    Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025
  • Who among our staff writers recently won a Pulitzer Prize for explanatory reporting—and for what story?
    The New Yorker, The New Yorker, 27 Dec. 2024
Definition of explanatory
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.

Thesaurus Entries Near explanative

explanations

explanative

explanatory

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Cite this Entry

“Explanative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explanative. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

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