Synonyms for explain
ɪkˈspleɪnex·plain

WiktionaryRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. explainverb

   To give a sufficiently detailed report about (a) the reason for something, about why something happened, about a causal chain of events; about (b) how something works, about how elements in a system interact; about (c) how to do something, about the steps which need to be accomplished in order to accomplish a certain goal.

   Synonyms:
   expound, elaborate

Complete Dictionary of Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:3.8 / 4 votes

1. explain

   Synonyms:
   expound, teach, illustrate, clear up, interpret, elucidate, decipher

   Antonyms:
   mystify, obscure, darken, bewilder, misinterpret

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:3.7 / 3 votes

1. explain, explicateverb

   make plain and comprehensible

   "He explained the laws of physics to his students"

   Synonyms:
   excuse, explicate, formulate, develop

2. explainverb

   define

   "The committee explained their plan for fund-raising to the Dean"

   Synonyms:
   excuse, explicate

3. excuse, explainverb

   serve as a reason or cause or justification of

   "Your need to sleep late does not excuse your late arrival at work"; "Her recent divorce may explain her reluctance to date again"

   Synonyms:
   relieve, rationalize, explicate, let off, beg off, excuse, pardon, condone, apologise, exempt, rationalise, apologize, justify

Matched Categories

1. • Inform
   • Justify
   • State

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:1.0 / 2 votes

1. explainverb

   Synonyms:
   interpret, elucidate, expound, illustrate, unfold, solve, ECLAIRCIZE, clear up, make plain, throw light upon

2. explainverb

   Synonyms:
   account, give a reason, give an explanation

Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated WordsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. explainverb

   Synonyms:
   expound, elucidate, unfold, interpret

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:0.0 / 0 votes

1. List of paraphrases for "explain":

   explaining, explained, explains, clarify, explanation, declare, describe, justify, interpret, tell, elaborate, indicate

How to pronounce explain?

How to say explain in sign language?

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How to use explain in a sentence?

1. Jacob Koscinski:

   The cake experience was kind of frustrating and humiliating because I had to explain to my friends and family … what that meant. And they were giggling uncontrollably. At least my friends were.

2. Tony Ferguson:

   He obviously knew what he could do to help save this card, he didnt want to take any of those chances. Everybody is taking risks trying to do it. He bailed out, man. Its pretty hard to explain, but he bailed out, man.

3. Andrea Quenette:

   It's been really difficult, i can't really explain how it feels to have your entire career in jeopardy over one moment in time.

4. Michael Wilson:

   Especially in this race, we need somebody that doesn't have things that he has to explain about his relationship with segregationists, we need a new generation to take over. I am a really big fan of Cory Booker and Kamala Harris, but the guy who has got my vote is probably Andrew Yang.

5. Edward Snowden:

   You aren't even allowed to explain to a jury what your motivations were for revealing this information. It is simply a question of 'did you reveal information?' If yes, you go to prison for the rest of your life.