as in to explain
to make plain or understandable
the dating applicant spelled out exactly what she wanted in a man
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spell out
This is in keeping with many of the other odd choices this season, like spelling out Abby’s motivation during Joel’s murder scene, or moving the porch scene – the final scene from the game – up to last week’s flashback episode.
—
Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
That’s where Capone decided to add the watch’s signature bling, spelling out his initials with 90 single-cut diamonds.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 22 May 2025
Cudi was sworn in and, as directed, stated and spelled out his legal name, Scott Mescudi.
—Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 22 May 2025
The district the following year spent millions making the mural a permanent installation, replacing traditional asphalt with colored pavers to spell out its eponymous phrase.
—Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 24 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for spell out
Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
That’s where Capone decided to add the watch’s signature bling, spelling out his initials with 90 single-cut diamonds.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 22 May 2025
Cudi was sworn in and, as directed, stated and spelled out his legal name, Scott Mescudi.
—Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 22 May 2025
The district the following year spent millions making the mural a permanent installation, replacing traditional asphalt with colored pavers to spell out its eponymous phrase.
—Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 24 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for spell out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spell out
Verb
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The smaller budget is in part explained by the expiration of one-time spending that came as part of 2023’s more than $70 billion budget that raised spending by nearly 40%.—
Alex Derosier,
Twin Cities,
7 June 2025
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And as one dad recently shared on Reddit, the days of explaining things with talk of storks or other mythical tales are likely over.—
Christian Dashiell,
Parents,
7 June 2025
Verb
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However, as one family’s experience illustrates, the story of the Great Wealth Transfer is far more complex.—
Joseph Coughlin,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
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To illustrate the scale of this complexity, Lin explains that there can be seemingly endless ticket combinations for trips between Los Angeles and London.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
1 June 2025
Verb
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Use these prompts to clarify thinking, then test insights through actual leadership situations.—
Sarah Hernholm,
Forbes.com,
7 June 2025
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While the wording from Van Duyne appeared to suggest that SBA funds would only be available to U.S. citizens, rather than businesses under foreign or undocumented ownership, the bill itself clarified that green card holders would be eligible to apply.—
Dan Gooding
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
Verb
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Other journalists had excoriated McCarthy earlier, in print and on the radio, but Murrow met the medium and the moment in 1954, demonstrating the senator’s smear tactics and stirring a severe public backlash.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
6 June 2025
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Not least the fact that clubs other than City will be monitoring Gibbs-White’s position, with the 26-year-old England international having demonstrated his value emphatically again during a season in which Forest pushed for a top-five finish for many months.—
Paul Taylor,
New York Times,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spell out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spell%20out. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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