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—
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Newsweek
Examples 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
Zelenskyy did not clarify whether humanitarian aid had been paused.
—Samya Kullab, Chicago Tribune, 25 Jan. 2025
Justice Gorsuch, concurring with the decision to grant the stay, proposed that the Supreme Court should clarify whether district courts have the authority to issue universal injunctive relief.
—Matthew F. Erskine, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
The Simon Wiesenthal Center, a Jewish human rights organization, called on Musk to clarify or apologize for the gesture.
—Shannon Bond, NPR, 24 Jan. 2025
The update further highlights Spirit’s attempts to clarify what constitutes acceptable dress for its flights.
—Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 24 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for clarify 
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Samya Kullab, Chicago Tribune, 25 Jan. 2025
Justice Gorsuch, concurring with the decision to grant the stay, proposed that the Supreme Court should clarify whether district courts have the authority to issue universal injunctive relief.
—Matthew F. Erskine, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
The Simon Wiesenthal Center, a Jewish human rights organization, called on Musk to clarify or apologize for the gesture.
—Shannon Bond, NPR, 24 Jan. 2025
The update further highlights Spirit’s attempts to clarify what constitutes acceptable dress for its flights.
—Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 24 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for clarify
Dictionary Entries Near clarify
Cite this Entry
“Clarify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clarify. Accessed 30 Jan. 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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