Antonyms for explain
| Grammar : Verb |
| Spell : ik-spleyn |
| Phonetic Transcription : ɪkˈspleɪn |
Definition of explain
Origin :- early 15c., from Latin explanare "to make level, smooth out;" also "to explain, make clear" (see explanation).
- Originally explane, spelling altered by influence of plain. Also see plane (v.2). In 17c., occasionally used more literally, of the unfolding of material things: Evelyn has buds that "explain into leaves" ["Sylva, or, A discourse of forest-trees, and the propagation of timber in His Majesties dominions," 1664]. Related: Explained; explaining; explains.
- verb make clear; give a reason for
- Don't mind him, dad—I know all about it, I tell you—I'll explain later to you.
- Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
- Lucas spoke to him in Flemish to explain his own return with the English prentice.
- Extract from : « The Armourer's Prentices » by Charlotte M. Yonge
- But before you start to read let me explain what I intend to do.
- Extract from : « Ancient Man » by Hendrik Willem van Loon
- Nothin' you could understand; you need a mother to explain things to you.
- Extract from : « Way of the Lawless » by Max Brand
- "I'll have to explain," she smiled as she introduced him to Evelyn.
- Extract from : « Grace Harlowe's Return to Overton Campus » by Jessie Graham Flower
- You're going to explain it all to me this afternoon, aren't you?
- Extract from : « Viviette » by William J. Locke
- "Come down to the crick with me after tea, and I'll explain," said Will.
- Extract from : « The Raid From Beausejour; And How The Carter Boys Lifted The Mortgage » by Charles G. D. Roberts
- Which of the two, then, would our author want to explain metaphorically?
- Extract from : « A Theological-Political Treatise [Part III] » by Benedict of Spinoza
- Give him this letter when he comes home, it will explain the circumstances to him.
- Extract from : « Life in London » by Edwin Hodder
- The preacher was trying to explain to us the eternal duration of God's punishment.
- Extract from : « The Conquest of Fear » by Basil King
Synonyms for explain
- account for
- analyze
- annotate
- break down
- bring out
- clarify
- clear up
- construe
- decipher
- define
- demonstrate
- describe
- diagram
- disclose
- elucidate
- excuse
- explicate
- expound
- get across
- go into detail
- illustrate
- interpret
- justify
- make plain
- manifest
- paraphrase
- point out
- put across
- put in plain English
- rationalize
- read
- refine
- render
- resolve
- reveal
- set right
- solve
- spell out
- teach
- tell
- throw light upon
- translate
- unfold
- unravel
- untangle
Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019