Explain: alternatives and connections

To explain or tell the meaning of; to expound; to translate orally into intelligible or familiar language or terms; to decipher; to define; -- applie…

Use when explanation requires judgement about meaning rather than simply description.

The plea or mode of defense under which a person on trial for a crime proves or attempts to prove that he was in another place when the alleged act w…

Open English WordNet identifies the related verb as a more specific manner of this action.

To make clear or bright by freeing from feculent matter; to defecate; to fine; -- said of liquids, as wine or sirup.

Open English WordNet identifies the related verb as a more specific manner of this action.

To make remarks, observations, or criticism; especially, to write notes on the works of an author, with a view to illustrate his meaning, or to expla…

Open English WordNet identifies the related verb as a more specific manner of this action.

To make clear or manifest; to render more intelligible; to illustrate; as, an example will elucidate the subject.

Open English WordNet identifies the related verb as a more specific manner of this action.

To explain or tell the meaning of; to expound; to translate orally into intelligible or familiar language or terms; to decipher; to define; -- applie…

Open English WordNet identifies the related verb as a more specific manner of this action.

To make natural; as, custom naturalizes labor or study.

Open English WordNet identifies the related verb as a more specific manner of this action.

To advise or counsel.

Open English WordNet identifies the related verb as a more specific manner of this action.

To emit rays of light; to give light; to beam with steady radiance; to exhibit brightness or splendor; as, the sun shines by day; the moon shines by…

Open English WordNet identifies the related verb as a more specific manner of this action.

Without regular form; shapeless; ugly; deformed.

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

To prove or show to be just; to vindicate; to maintain or defend as conformable to law, right, justice, propriety, or duty.

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Saw.

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

The circumstances or condition of a being or thing at any given time.

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

To mention one by one, or piece by piece; to recount; to enumerate; to reckon; to number; to count; as, to tell money.

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

To lay claim to; to assert a right to; to claim.

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

A reckoning; computation; calculation; enumeration; a record of some reckoning; as, the Julian account of time.

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

A reckoning; computation; calculation; enumeration; a record of some reckoning; as, the Julian account of time.

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

The act of explaining, expounding, or interpreting; the act of clearing from obscurity and making intelligible; as, the explanation of a passage in S…

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

The act of explaining, expounding, or interpreting; the act of clearing from obscurity and making intelligible; as, the explanation of a passage in S…

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

Serving to explain; containing explanation; as explanatory notes.

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

Serving to explain; containing explanation; as explanatory notes.

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

To free from accusation, or the imputation of fault or blame; to clear from guilt; to release from a charge; to justify by extenuating a fault; to ex…

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Evolved; unfolded.

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

To make clear or bright by freeing from feculent matter; to defecate; to fine; -- said of liquids, as wine or sirup.

Use when the information already exists but needs greater precision or transparency.

Saw.

Explain overlaps with say, but its tone, intensity or usual context may differ. Check the definition before substituting it.

To make clear or manifest; to render more intelligible; to illustrate; as, an example will elucidate the subject.

A formal academic alternative, especially for concepts, mechanisms and arguments.

To represent by drawing; to draw a plan of; to delineate; to trace or mark out; as, to describe a circle by the compasses; a torch waved about the he…

Do not substitute automatically: description identifies features, while explanation addresses mechanism, cause or meaning.