List of 426 Sets of Synonyms - How they Differ - Total of 2307 Words - 148

SYNONYMS: explain, expound, explicate, interpret, construe.
These verbs mean to make understandable the nature or meaning of something.

Explain is the most widely applicable: explained the difficult words and obscure symbols; tried to explain himself.
Expound and explicate imply detailed and usually learned and lengthy exploration or analysis: We must never forget that it is a constitution we are expounding. Philosophers tried to explicate the standards of usage.
To interpret is to reveal the underlying meaning of something by the application of special knowledge or insight: We tried to interpret the real meaning.
Construe involves putting a particular construction or interpretation on something: Why do you construe my silence as a sign of disapproval?