When writing fiction, “said” does the job at least 90% of the time. But when writing a formal essay, sometimes you need another word for “explain”.
OTHER WORDS FOR EXPLAIN
- clarify: to make something more comprehensible
- clear up: to solve or explain something
- convey: to communicate something
- convince: to cause (someone) to believe firmly in the truth of something
- define: to state or describe exactly the nature, scope, or meaning of
- demystify: to make something difficult easier to understand
- describe: to give a detailed account in words
- elaborate: to develop something in further detail
- elucidate: to make something clear
- explicate: to analyse and develop something in detail
- expound: to present and explain something in detail
- get across: to communicate an idea clearly
- illuminate: to clarify or explain (light up)
- inform: to give information to
- justify: to show or prove to be right or reasonable
- lay out: to explain something clearly and carefully
- let someone know: to tell
- map out: to plan a route or course of action in detail
- put across: to communicate something effectively
- refine: to make minor changes, improving or clarifying something
- shed light on: to help to explain something by providing further information
- specify: to state a fact or requirement clearly and precisely
- spell out: to explain in detail
- throw light on: to help to explain something by providing further information
