elucidate

verb

i-ˈlü-sə-ˌdāt How to pronounce elucidate (audio)
Definition of elucidatenext
as in to explain
to make plain or understandable colored charts that really help to elucidate the points made in the text

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb elucidate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of elucidate are explain, explicate, expound, and interpret. While all these words mean "to make something clear or understandable," elucidate stresses the throwing of light upon as by offering details or motives previously unclear or only implicit.

elucidate an obscure passage

In what contexts can explain take the place of elucidate?

While the synonyms explain and elucidate are close in meaning, explain implies a making plain or intelligible what is not immediately obvious or entirely known.

explain the rules

When might explicate be a better fit than elucidate?

The meanings of explicate and elucidate largely overlap; however, explicate adds the idea of a developed or detailed analysis.

explicate a poem

When would expound be a good substitute for elucidate?

The words expound and elucidate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, expound implies a careful often elaborate explanation.

expounding a scientific theory

How are the words interpret and explain related as synonyms of elucidate?

Interpret adds to explain the need for imagination or sympathy or special knowledge in dealing with something.

interpreting a work of art

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 elucidate Basically, whenever John and Yoko talk about something vaguely abstract, Soderbergh elucidates his words with the help of Meta’s video-generative tools. — Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 15 May 2026 To find and elucidate the humanity that transcends individual circumstance? — Glen Weldon, NPR, 10 May 2026 Countless stories elucidate the ways perpetrators and those near them (whether in ethnic, religious or political communities) respond when girls and boys tell about abuse. — Lynn Dewoskin Covarrubias, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2026 FinCEN seeks information to elucidate opaque ownership structures that can obscure the natural persons behind real estate ownership, regardless of formal legal labels. — Martin Shenkman, Forbes.com, 2 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for elucidate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elucidate
  1. explain
  2. clarify
  3. illustrate
  4. demonstrate
Verb
  • Neither the governor's office nor Wilson's office has explained why those two sections were left out between the May draft and the final trailer bill.
    — Julie Watts, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Here, The Athletic explains the latest situation in terms of both outgoings and incomings at St James’ Park.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of explain
Verb
  • Open Doors helped clarify a lot of things, so the next step is to sit with that and push the project into a solid draft.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 16 Aug. 2026
  • District leaders used them to rethink instruction, align classroom practice with system supports, build capacity among school supervisors and principals, and clarify what students should know and be able to do.
    — Michael Casserly, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of clarify
Verb
  • Something extraordinary these episodes illustrate, in our view, is the vulnerability of America’s highly interconnected fresh-food supply chain, in which one grower or supplier problem can ripple astonishingly far.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
  • One of Schore's simplest techniques illustrates how quickly emotional reactions can redirect attention.
    — Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of illustrate
Verb
  • As Amziah demonstrates during this lesson, the queen is the center of the universe, and without her, the colony would collapse.
    — Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Huang of the Taiwan Network Information Center said the July incident demonstrated that AI has become the main player in cybersecurity beyond simply assisting human hackers in partial automation tasks.
    — John Liu, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of demonstrate

Browse Nearby Words

elsewhere
elucidate
elucidated
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Cite this Entry

“Elucidate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elucidate. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on elucidate

Nglish: Translation of elucidate for Spanish Speakers

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