Synonym Chooser

How does the verb expound contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of expound are elucidate, explain, explicate, and interpret. While all these words mean "to make something clear or understandable," expound implies a careful often elaborate explanation.

expounding a scientific theory

When would elucidate be a good substitute for expound?

The words elucidate and expound are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, elucidate stresses the throwing of light upon as by offering details or motives previously unclear or only implicit.

elucidate an obscure passage

Where would explain be a reasonable alternative to expound?

While in some cases nearly identical to expound, explain implies a making plain or intelligible what is not immediately obvious or entirely known.

explain the rules

When might explicate be a better fit than expound?

The words explicate and expound can be used in similar contexts, but explicate adds the idea of a developed or detailed analysis.

explicate a poem

How are the words interpret and explain related as synonyms of expound?

Interpret adds to explain the need for imagination or sympathy or special knowledge in dealing with something.

interpreting a work of art

Examples 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 expound The owners, executives and big names from the world of athletics expounded on several issues and trends related to money and sports—from the growing opportunities in women’s sports and youth sports to the introduction of private equity and sovereign wealth funds. Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 4 Nov. 2024 That's an easy concept to grasp, and Paul expounded on the idea. Brian Mazique, Forbes, 5 Sep. 2024 Tanton kindles a small fire of twigs inside a metal pitcher, while expounding for the camera about ecology and overpopulation. Abrahm Lustgarten, ProPublica, 19 Oct. 2024 The two Lips expounded more on their feelings about the cover in a video interview. Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 19 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for expound 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expound
Verb
  • That’s a beautiful thing to be a part of, to be a filmmaker, to be able to express that and then allow people from all different parts of the world.
    Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Dec. 2024
  • As a result, the Nuggets have either expressed interest in, or have had preliminary trade discussions on the following players: Chicago’s Zach Lavine, Washington’s Jordan Poole, Utah’s Jordan Clarkson, Atlanta’s De’Andre Hunter, Brooklyn’s Cam Johnson and Washington’s Jonas Valančiūnas.
    Sam Amick, The Athletic, 18 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • The largest white droppings belonged to the seagulls — black-headed laughing gulls and white-headed herring gulls — McKenzie explained.
    CNN.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 27 Dec. 2024
  • Last month, Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, explained his priority is to arrest and remove criminals who pose the greatest danger to Americans, The Center Square reported.
    Bethany Blankley | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 27 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • The Hill’s Mychael Schnell reports a handful of conservative House Republicans voiced concerns about Johnson to Trump even before last week’s government funding fiasco, prompting even more uncertainty about the Louisiana Republican’s grasp on the gavel weeks before the Speakership vote.
    Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 24 Dec. 2024
  • Even our most uncomfortable emotions need to be voiced, says Lisa Marie Bobby, psychologist and founder of Growing Self Counseling & Coaching in Denver.
    Aditi Shrikant, CNBC, 24 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • The 33-year-old also clarified his relationship with Sayed, denying any romantic involvement in a series of candid posts.
    Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 26 Dec. 2024
  • This misunderstanding can result in inaccurate measurements if the recipe doesn't clarify further with weights or detailed instructions.
    Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 26 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • And given its volatility, any government purchases or sales could have an outsized impact on bitcoin's price.
    Gertrude Chavez-Dreyfuss and Lisa Pauline Mattackal, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024
  • President Joe Biden is prepared to veto legislation that would create new federal judgeships for President-elect Donald Trump to fill, a move that would give him the most presidential vetoes since Bill Clinton.
    Christian Datoc, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 16 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • The potential financial losses revealed in this lawsuit are substantial, illustrated by the tenuous position of key players like Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick, along with the sponsorship of Monster Energy.
    Gord Magill, Newsweek, 21 Dec. 2024
  • The timing and rapid pace of these announcements—particularly in light of Google's competing releases—illustrates the intensifying competition in AI development.
    Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 20 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Having used a $2.9 million grant from ARPA-E to demonstrate proof of concept, Limelight is now planning a pilot-scale plant in 2025 capable of producing 100 tons annually.
    Andrew Rosenblum, Popular Science, 26 Dec. 2024
  • Such growth demonstrates the advantages of policies that prioritize domestic solutions and reduce foreign dependency.
    Zachary Colletti, Orlando Sentinel, 26 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near expound

Cite this Entry

“Expound.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expound. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on expound

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