Synonym Chooser

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

Example 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
  • But money alone doesn’t explain the absence of conscience.
    Todd L. Pittinsky, Sun Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2025
  • For some teams, a dark-horse mind-set might be better for strategic reasons: underdogs tend to focus on the positive outcome (winning), while top dogs tend to avoid negative outcomes (not losing), which could explain why underdogs sometimes play looser and with an eye to higher risks and rewards.
    Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • One of the greatest of all time to play the position, one of the greatest players of all time.
    Zack Rosenblatt, The Athletic, 28 Jan. 2025
  • Two years ago, the Eagles and the Chiefs faced off in Super Bowl LVII where Kansas City dramatically won on a field goal with eight seconds to play.
    Alexandra Banner, CNN, 27 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Zelenskyy did not clarify whether humanitarian aid had been paused.
    SAMYA KULLAB, Chicago Tribune, 25 Jan. 2025
  • The update further highlights Spirit’s attempts to clarify what constitutes acceptable dress for its flights.
    Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Marczak still played and performed, but largely for other bands.
    Britt Julious, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2025
  • Documents state that the city won the federal grant in April 2023, and Sacramento’s Office of Innovation and Economic Development began soliciting environmental consultants to perform the work in September 2024, almost a year and a half later.
    Ariane Lange, Sacramento Bee, 22 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • More than 30 years after illustrating Norton Juster's cult kids' book, Feiffer returned to the genre as an author, with books like 1993's The Man in the Ceiling (eventually adapted into a musical with Tony Award-winning producer Jeffrey Seller) and his 2010 re-teaming with Juster, The Odious Ogre.
    Etelka Lehoczky, NPR, 21 Jan. 2025
  • The pattern illustrated the unintended effects of Google’s policy changes and how obscure changes made to its advertising rules can have outsize repercussions on groups dependent on the world’s biggest search engine.
    Nico Grant, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Chalamet recently portrayed Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown, the biopic directed by James Mangold, and performed all of his own vocals in the film.
    Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 19 Jan. 2025
  • The pair eventually worked together on 2018’s Black Panther, in which Boseman played the titular MCU hero and Jordan portrayed villainous Erik Killmonger.
    Glenn Garner, Deadline, 18 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • His involvement with the Uniform Intermodal Interchange and Facilities Access Agreement further demonstrates his commitment to advancing efficiency and innovation in the industry.
    Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 25 Jan. 2025
  • Still, Pasha’s interactions with current and former students demonstrate his unique place within the academic ecosystem, and the conviction that guides his defiant documentation.
    Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 25 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • If the content of his films skews towards the dark side, their form tends to be a bit more playful, undercutting some of the heaviness of what’s being depicted.
    Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Jan. 2025
  • Contemporary sculptures of earthly Greek women were usually made from terra-cotta and depicted them clothed in tight cloaks.
    Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near interpret

Cite this Entry

“Interpret.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/interpret. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on interpret

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