clarify
verb
clar·i·fy
ˈkler-ə-ˌfī 
ˈkla-rə-
clarified; clarifying
1
: to make understandable
clarify a subject
The president was forced to clarify his position on the issue.
2
: to free of confusion
needs time to clarify his thoughts
3
: to make (a liquid or something liquefied) clear or pure usually by freeing from suspended matter
clarify syrup
: to become clear
waiting for the present muddled diplomatic situation to clarify—
Newsweek
NewsweekExamples of clarify in a Sentence
Can you clarify exactly what it is you're proposing?
Her explanation did not clarify matters much.
The president was forced to clarify his position on the issue.
The committee clarified the manager's duties.
a substance used to clarify wine
Recent Examples on the Web
Mulford clarified the board vote did not approve an AI plan.
—Edward McKinnon, Arkansas Online, 25 July 2025
This mindset sharpens execution, clarifies your narrative and aligns your team around value creation.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025
However, Hamilton clarified that the new suspension is yet to be tested.
—Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025
In March, commissioners unanimously rejected the idea of cutting the CPP’s size but agreed to clarify leadership roles and establish a formal performance-evaluation process for the executive director.
—Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 July 2025
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Edward McKinnon, Arkansas Online, 25 July 2025
This mindset sharpens execution, clarifies your narrative and aligns your team around value creation.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025
However, Hamilton clarified that the new suspension is yet to be tested.
—Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025
In March, commissioners unanimously rejected the idea of cutting the CPP’s size but agreed to clarify leadership roles and establish a formal performance-evaluation process for the executive director.
—Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for clarify
Cite this Entry
“Clarify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clarify. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
clarify
verb
clar·i·fy
ˈklar-ə-ˌfī
clarified; clarifying
1
: to make or become pure or clear
clarify a liquid
2
: to make or become easier to understand
clarify a statement
Medical Definition
clarify
verb
clar·i·fy
ˈklar-ə-ˌfī
clarified; clarifying
: to make (as a liquid) clear or pure usually by freeing from suspended matter
clarify sewage
: to become clear
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