1
as in interpretation
a statement that makes something clear
an explanation of photosynthesis that most museum visitors will be able to understand
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in reason
a statement given to explain a belief or act
when questioned by authorities, the students were at a loss for an explanation for their senseless vandalism
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of explanation
Simone prods for reconciliation or at least an explanation, but Phaedra doesn’t backpedal.
—
Shelby Stewart, Essence, 27 Jan. 2025
Many members of Congress from New York, starting with the dean of the delegation, Jerry Nadler, along with Reps. Hakeem Jeffries and Greg Meeks, asked Secretary of State Tony Blinken for explanations for years without a reply.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 27 Jan. 2025
Another explanation of its foundation is colonialism, John Skrentny, a sociologist at the University of California, San Diego, told Politifact in 2015 when Trump first raised his qualms with birthright citizenship.
—April Rubin, Axios, 25 Jan. 2025
The police asked him about what appeared to be cuts on his right hand, and Mr. Cady gave inconsistent explanations, the authorities said.
—Simon J. Levien, New York Times, 25 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for explanation 
Shelby Stewart, Essence, 27 Jan. 2025
Many members of Congress from New York, starting with the dean of the delegation, Jerry Nadler, along with Reps. Hakeem Jeffries and Greg Meeks, asked Secretary of State Tony Blinken for explanations for years without a reply.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 27 Jan. 2025
Another explanation of its foundation is colonialism, John Skrentny, a sociologist at the University of California, San Diego, told Politifact in 2015 when Trump first raised his qualms with birthright citizenship.
—April Rubin, Axios, 25 Jan. 2025
The police asked him about what appeared to be cuts on his right hand, and Mr. Cady gave inconsistent explanations, the authorities said.
—Simon J. Levien, New York Times, 25 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for explanation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explanation
Noun
-
Trump’s executive order engages in his own constitutional interpretation that is arguably in conflict with the Court’s.—
Jeannie Suk Gersen,
The New Yorker,
22 Jan. 2025
-
Their interpretation of the espresso martini looks to Mexico.—
Christina Liao,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Jan. 2025
Noun
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What Nafisi does best, and the reason her work has endured, is precisely to refuse cartoonish portrayals and basic morality plays.—
Arash Azizi,
The Atlantic,
26 Jan. 2025
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The reason: In many parts of North Carolina, there is only one poultry company that contracts with farmers.—
Ames Alexander,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
And that was really what started this concept of the illustrations, and the story happening in the book.—
Gillian Telling,
People.com,
22 Jan. 2025
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Photograph: Mother Jones illustration; Getty This story originally appeared on Mother Jones and is part of the Climate Desk collaboration.—
Anna Merlan,
WIRED,
18 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Shyne makes a forceful argument through just letting the audience be absorbed with a way of life.—
Esther Zuckerman,
IndieWire,
25 Jan. 2025
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Prosecutors have accused Mayers of shooting Terrell Ephron, a.k.a. ASAP Relli, on a Hollywood street corner after a heated argument on Nov. 6, 2021.—
James Queally,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Tennis Australia issued a statement Monday afternoon confirming Djokovic’s receipt of the apology.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
The Athletic,
20 Jan. 2025
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On Monday, Jones did make an on-air apology to the Serbian star and his fans with an appearance on Channel 9’s Today program.—
George Ramsay,
CNN,
20 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Mental accounting often leads people to spend unexpected windfalls, such as lottery winnings or bonuses, on non-essential goods and experiences while treating regular income more conservatively.—
Shahar Ziv,
Forbes,
21 Jan. 2025
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But, of course, there are also teaching positions, leadership jobs, positions in accounting, technology, marketing, development and housing.—
Kathy Kristof,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Johnson did not cite a reason for Turner’s removal, but Turner told CBS News that the speaker cited concerns from Mar-a-Lago as justification.—
Cami Mondeaux,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
16 Jan. 2025
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The letter, published on Jan. 14, points out that Walmart has not provided financial or business justifications for this policy change.—
Francisco Velasquez,
Quartz,
16 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Trump's rationale for this decision was simple: government officials cannot expect lifelong security at the taxpayers' expense.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
25 Jan. 2025
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As with many other areas of policy, California was able to eke out these easy victories by persuading courts that the Trump administration had rushed rules through without explaining their rationale, providing sufficient evidence or giving the public the opportunity to weigh in.—
CalMatters,
The Mercury News,
20 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near explanation
Cite this Entry
“Explanation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explanation. Accessed 3 Feb. 2025.
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