Another Word for Explain: 11 Synonyms with Examples
To explain is to make something clear or give reasons for it. Other verbs separate making something understandable from justifying or accounting for it.
As a verb: make clear
- clarify
- describe
- illustrate
- spell out
- set out
- interpret
- elucidate
As a verb: give reasons for
- account for
- justify
- excuse
- rationalise
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How they differ
Synonyms share a meaning, not always a tone. Here is when to pick each of the main options.
- clarify
- Removes confusion about something already mentioned.
- describe
- Says what something is like, without necessarily saying why.
- spell out
- Informal; explains in plain, explicit detail.
- account for
- Gives the reason or cause behind a fact or result.
- justify
- Shows that a decision or action was reasonable.
- elucidate
- Very formal; makes a complex idea clear. Usually “explain” reads better.
Example sentences
- clarify: Could you clarify what you mean by “local” in this question?
- describe: The report describes the three stages of the project.
- spell out: The letter spells out exactly what happens if payment is late.
- account for: Higher fuel costs account for most of the price rise.
- justify: The manager justified the delay by pointing to the safety checks.
- elucidate: The final chapter elucidates the theory with two case studies.
Opposite of explain
- confuse
- obscure
- complicate
More from WordNet
Less common or more specialised words WordNet lists for other senses of “explain”. Check the meaning before you use one.
verb: explicate
WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Used under the WordNet licence.
Frequently asked questions
What is another word for “explain”?
The most useful alternatives are “clarify”, “describe”, “illustrate”, “spell out”, “set out”. For the main sense (make clear), “clarify” is usually the closest swap.
What is the difference between “clarify” and “describe”?
clarify: Removes confusion about something already mentioned. describe: Says what something is like, without necessarily saying why.
What is the opposite of “explain”?
Common antonyms are “confuse”, “obscure”, “complicate”.