<p><strong>Verb</strong></p><ul><li>(used with object) to make plain or clear; render understandable or intelligible: to explain an obscure point.</li><li>Synonyms: explicate</li><li>Antonyms: confuse</li><li>to make known in detail: to explain how to do something.</li><li>to assign a meaning to; interpret: How can you explain such a silly remark?</li><li>to make clear the cause or reason of; account for: I cannot explain his strange behavior.</li><li>Synonyms: justify</li></ul><p><strong>Verb Phrase</strong></p><ul><li>to diminish or nullify the significance of by explanation: He couldn't explain away his absence from home at the time the robbery was committed.</li><li>to dispel (doubts, difficulties, etc.) by explanation: She explained away the child's fears.</li></ul>