as in obvious
easy to understand without explanation
a self-explanatory phrase The chapter titles of the book are self-explanatory.
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Recent Examples of self-explanatory
This one is pretty self-explanatory.
—
Katie Grant, Parents, 4 Mar. 2026
Some of them, like the washtub, are fairly self-explanatory.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026
The word bombogenesis is a combination of cyclogenesis, which describes the formation of a cyclone or storm, and bomb, which is pretty self-explanatory.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 23 Feb. 2026
Still, even when the benefits are self-explanatory, cutting ties is easier said than done, as shown by this statistic.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-explanatory
Katie Grant, Parents, 4 Mar. 2026
Some of them, like the washtub, are fairly self-explanatory.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026
The word bombogenesis is a combination of cyclogenesis, which describes the formation of a cyclone or storm, and bomb, which is pretty self-explanatory.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 23 Feb. 2026
Still, even when the benefits are self-explanatory, cutting ties is easier said than done, as shown by this statistic.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-explanatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-explanatory
Adjective
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To further prevent obvious staining, choose darker flooring that won't show mud and dirt as easily.—
Claire Hoppe Norgaard,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 June 2026
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Black is an obvious choice, but purple, red, pink, navy, or even bolder choices like butter yellow, or orange can also work.—
Lauren Jones,
The Spruce,
6 June 2026
Adjective
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Advertisement The resulting docuseries attempts, above all, to make Richards’ experience comprehensible—to place a familiar, utterly recognizable person at the center of a story many people assume could never touch them.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
1 June 2026
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But Turner will be remembered mostly for the creation and development of the Cable News Network – CNN – which launched in 1980 and made our knowledge of distant events instantaneous and our world more comprehensible.—
Michael J. Socolow,
The Conversation,
7 May 2026
Adjective
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That uncertainty is understandable, given how much is at stake when your debt problems start to overlap with your job.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
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Growth is one of the biggest sore subjects in Mansfield, for understandable reasons.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 June 2026
Adjective
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The divide is particularly evident in apparel.—
Juveria Tabassum,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
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This phenomenon was particularly evident last primary, when Bass initially trailed developer Rick Caruso in the mayoral race, but as more ballots came in, Bass continued to gain a lead.—
Grace Toohey,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2026
Adjective
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The humor resulting from the combination of apparent authenticity, slick social media editing and a compelling mission has prompted speculation among onlookers about the band's true origin.—
Max Bacall , Tessa Hoyos , Nikos DeGruccio,
FOXNews.com,
6 June 2026
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The apparent unit of output—a token—is not a stable unit of economic value.—
James Broughel,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
Adjective
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In today’s fascination with affordable, tiny houses, the legacy of traditional American architecture is in plain sight.—
Time,
Time,
2 June 2026
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This one, though, is as plain as the sunshine on a warm Texas day.—
Trey Wallace OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
Adjective
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In the video, Allie dramatically acted out both sides of the conversation, capturing the feeling of trying to extract a straightforward answer from her mom.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
3 June 2026
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Not Suitable for Work, by contrast, stretches for both satire and straightforward cuddliness.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
3 June 2026
Adjective
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The actor, 39, pleaded guilty to three misdemeanor counts of simple battery in a Louisiana criminal court Wednesday, June 3, according to records obtained by USA TODAY.—
Liza Esquibias,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
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At the time, the New Orleans Police Department confirmed its officers charged LaBeouf with two counts of simple battery for allegedly assaulting two men near a bar in the French Quarter.—
Alexandra Del Rosario,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-explanatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-explanatory. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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