INTERPRET Synonyms: 67 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'interpret' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of interpret are elucidate , explain , explicate , and expound . While all these words mean "to make something clear or understandable," interpret adds to explain the need for imagination or sympathy or special knowledge in dealing with something. // interpreting a work of art

Q: When can 'elucidate' be used instead of 'interpret'?

The meanings of elucidate and interpret largely overlap; however, elucidate stresses the throwing of light upon as by offering details or motives previously unclear or only implicit. // elucidate an obscure passage

Q: When would 'explain' be a good substitute for 'interpret'?

While the synonyms explain and interpret are close in meaning, explain implies a making plain or intelligible what is not immediately obvious or entirely known. // explain the rules

Q: When is it sensible to use 'explicate' instead of 'interpret'?

In some situations, the words explicate and interpret are roughly equivalent. However, explicate adds the idea of a developed or detailed analysis. // explicate a poem

Q: When might 'expound' be a better fit than 'interpret'?

The words expound and interpret can be used in similar contexts, but expound implies a careful often elaborate explanation. // expounding a scientific theory

interpret

verb

in-ˈtər-prət

Definition of interpret next

as in to explain

to make plain or understandable a biblical passage that scholars haven't been able to interpret to everyone's satisfaction

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to play

to present a portrayal or performance of interpreted the role of Fletcher Christian in a challengingly new way

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the verb interpret contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of interpret are elucidate, explain, explicate, and expound. While all these words mean "to make something clear or understandable," interpret adds to explain the need for imagination or sympathy or special knowledge in dealing with something.

interpreting a work of art

When can elucidate be used instead of interpret?

The meanings of elucidate and interpret largely overlap; however, elucidate stresses the throwing of light upon as by offering details or motives previously unclear or only implicit.

elucidate an obscure passage

When would explain be a good substitute for interpret?

While the synonyms explain and interpret are close in meaning, explain implies a making plain or intelligible what is not immediately obvious or entirely known.

explain the rules

When is it sensible to use explicate instead of interpret?

In some situations, the words explicate and interpret are roughly equivalent. However, explicate adds the idea of a developed or detailed analysis.

explicate a poem

When might expound be a better fit than interpret?

The words expound and interpret can be used in similar contexts, but expound implies a careful often elaborate explanation.

expounding a scientific theory

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 interpret Rather than signaling isolation, Trump’s campaign pledges are interpreted in the global South as a calculated strategy of revisionism—a bid to restore U.S. primacy by making other countries pay heed, align with Washington, or be left vulnerable in an increasingly uncertain order. —

Matias Spektor, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025 Anthropic said its new Computer Use capability allows its technology to interpret what's on a computer screen, select buttons, enter text, navigate websites, and execute tasks through any software and real-time internet browsing. —

Hayden Field, CNBC, 7 Jan. 2025 As privacy regulations become stricter, marketers will need to adapt their model-building approaches, carefully considering how these changes impact their ability to gather and interpret data. —

Mike Villalobos, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024 He was joined onstage by Don Was as well as the late Phil Lesh’s grandson Grahame to interpret the track off 1970’s American Beauty. —

Ethan Millman, Rolling Stone, 20 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for interpret

Recent Examples of Synonyms for interpret

Verb

Giving them a break while cutting benefits to lower-income Americans, also under discussion, could be politically difficult to explain.

Kate Murphy, Axios, 14 Jan. 2025
Honoring your own culture An effective way to navigate these conversations is by explaining to your child that their friend's hairstyle is a way of honoring their culture—and that your child can celebrate their own culture, too.

Leslie D. Rose, Parents, 14 Jan. 2025