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 of expound in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Recent Examples on the Web White didn't expound much more on the Easter eggs, but the mention should augment the excitement around the event. Brian Mazique, Forbes, 11 Sep. 2024 Chinese leaders seek to bolster the party’s ruling legitimacy by investing in propaganda, expounding the party’s ideology, and demonstrating how the state is responsive to the needs of the people. Lynette H. Ong, Foreign Affairs, 11 Jan. 2023 Courtesy of Prime Video Tolkien expounded upon the powers of the rings in a letter gathered in a compendium. Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 12 Sep. 2024 In an interview with The Times that has been edited and condensed for clarity and space, Silverman expounds on developing this landmark episode. Whitney Friedlander, Los Angeles Times, 12 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for expound 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expound
Verb
  • On Saturday, Elvira Monk expressed relief at the prospect of arrests in her brother’s death.
    Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024
  • For some horror-thriller heads, the moment might recall a similar sentiment expressed in the original Speak No Evil, Christian Tafdrup’s 2022 film about a family who gets tortured, and ultimately killed, by a sociopath who takes advantage of their middle-class politeness.
    Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • For any that haven’t reached green, clicking the segment reveals exactly why and, in most cases, explains how to get a better score.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
  • Abramovitch explained how Swift could have been an exception to this rule because her career in both country and pop music gives her fans on both sides of the American political divide.
    Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Moments after casting his vote in Palm Beach, Florida, Trump appeared to voice his displeasure at Fox News carrying clips of Winfrey at a Kamala Harris campaign rally in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
    Jake Kanter, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Musical artists Taylor Swift, Eminem, Beyoncé, Bad Bunny, Ricky Martin and Bruce Springsteen have all voiced their support.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • DiSalvo clarified that her challenges were independent of her affiliation with the group.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Earlier this year, the Michigan Supreme Court clarified a previous ruling to say that owners can make a claim on leftover proceeds from tax foreclosure sales retroactively, so before 2020.
    Nushrat Rahman, Detroit Free Press, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • The abuse victims’ attorneys, however, suggested that not funding the trust immediately would short-change people who had already been victimized by the church, given how the value of that trust could erode with time and inflation.
    Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
  • To name just one example: After an opening act filled with lurid cartel violence, Emilia Pérez gives us a comic number about gender-reassignment surgery.
    Nate Jones, Vulture, 9 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • The recent disruptions at Seattle Airport further illustrate the stakes, as malicious actors continually probe for weaknesses in critical infrastructure.
    Emil Sayegh, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
  • This rebound illustrates the persistent challenge of sustaining weight loss without continued treatment, suggesting long-term medication use may be essential to maintaining results.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • In the end, the experiment demonstrated vampire bats can convert amino acids into energy in less than 10 minutes and use it to fuel a lengthy endurance run.
    Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 7 Nov. 2024
  • As the 2020 election demonstrated, federalism can also bolster the integrity of elections precisely because of the power that states themselves have.
    Jenna Bednar, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near expound

Cite this Entry

“Expound.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expound. Accessed 18 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on expound

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