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

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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 Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island told Mr. Biden’s aides that the silence from the majority of Democratic senators should not be interpreted as a sign of support. —

Annie Karni, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025 In an apparent effort to limit the implications of its ruling, the court said its judgment should not be interpreted as a rebuke of common practices taken up by social media companies, such as data collection. —

Max Zahn, ABC News, 17 Jan. 2025 There are a lot of ways to interpret that, but one thing that is built into the conceit of the show is that, for the innies, the choice is work or nonexistence. —

Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 17 Jan. 2025 In addition, a 2024 Supreme Court ruling shifted the power to interpret federal laws, as passed by Congress, away from executive branch government agencies. —

Victor Menaldo, The Conversation, 16 Jan. 2025 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
While everyone is still reeling at the news that Carrie Underwood will be singing at Trump’s inauguration on January 20, the American Idol winner herself has released a statement explaining her decision.

— Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 14 Jan. 2025