as in obvious
easy to understand without explanation
a self-explanatory phrase The chapter titles of the book are self-explanatory.
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Recent Examples of self-explanatory
On Loading Basic loading is pretty self-explanatory.
—
Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 16 Feb. 2025
Pass interference – a foul that has derailed many great passing plays – is at the most basic level self-explanatory.
—Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 14 Feb. 2025
The six players Booth had in mind were self-explanatory: Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun and Russell Westbrook.
—Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 7 Feb. 2025
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% $6 THE ORDINARY
While the name is quite self-explanatory, as are most of The Ordinary's products, not everyone is aware that the combination of niacinamide and zinc brightens the skin, improves texture, and strengthens the skin barrier.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-explanatory
Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 16 Feb. 2025
Pass interference – a foul that has derailed many great passing plays – is at the most basic level self-explanatory.
—Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 14 Feb. 2025
The six players Booth had in mind were self-explanatory: Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun and Russell Westbrook.
—Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 7 Feb. 2025
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% $6 THE ORDINARY
While the name is quite self-explanatory, as are most of The Ordinary's products, not everyone is aware that the combination of niacinamide and zinc brightens the skin, improves texture, and strengthens the skin barrier.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-explanatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-explanatory
Adjective
-
Entertainment Fans of the show on social media seem to be missing a lot of crucial character development, and there’s an obvious explanation why.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Glamour,
10 Apr. 2025
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In its wildest moments, Coogler’s film seems like a collision of Lovecraft Country with True Blood, though more obvious comparisons will likely be drawn to From Dusk Till Dawn.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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For patients to benefit fully from AI, there must be clear and comprehensible explanations of how these systems work and how they are evaluated.—
Rob El Kareh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Feb. 2025
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Given the stakes for reproductive autonomy, Donegan’s reservations are entirely comprehensible.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
The New Yorker,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
How strongly consumers feel that online higher education should cost less than the in-person kind was evident in lawsuits brought against schools that continued to charge full tuition even after going remote during the COVID-19 pandemic.—
Jon Marcus,
NPR,
15 Mar. 2025
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This is very evident in the fourth quarter.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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To a casual observer, the difference between o1 and o1-pro might not be immediately apparent, yet the performance gap in business tasks can be substantial.—
Andrew Filev,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
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This is most apparent in the different choices of former President Joe Biden and President Donald Trump.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The economic case for implementing those other policies is more straightforward than the case for tariffs.—
Alden Abbott,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Those are the more straightforward solutions, according to Dr. Teitelbaum, but more extreme asymmetry can require performing completely different procedures on each side, usually a custom combination of augmentation, breast lift, breast lift with fat transfer, and/or reduction.—
Nicola Dall'Asen,
Allure,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Or skip the color entirely and let your designs pop off plain, undyed eggs.—
Kathy Barnes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Apr. 2025
-
The plain white court shoes have a low profile, featuring a traditional lace-up design, durable rubber outsoles, slim toe boxes, and a wide range of sizes from 5 to 11 (including half sizes).—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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That simplicity feels so apt for this show, There's enough here: The production is simple and sweet, while Jonas and Warren exude a certain magnetism.—
Shania Russell,
EW.com,
7 Apr. 2025
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Mistyping social security numbers is one of the simplest, yet most significant mistakes people make on their returns, according to TurboTax CPA and tax expert Lisa Greene-Lewis.—
Rachel Barber,
USA Today,
6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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With these women having formidable 400-meter performances, there was no clear sign of who would reign victorious.—
Katelyn Hutchison,
Forbes.com,
6 Apr. 2025
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But new research suggests zeroing in on your daily heart rate and step count—and taking an extra second to crunch those numbers—could provide a clearer view into your cardiovascular health.—
Cathy Cassata,
Health,
5 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-explanatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-explanatory. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
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