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
Also in the mix is CarMax, which will serve as the title sponsor of the self-explanatory NBA on Prime Pregame, while Wayfair will provide the matching bookend at the end of the night with its NBA Nightcap deal.
—
Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 8 Oct. 2025
Fine, well, what about the self-explanatory More Money Than Sense by Lord Kitchener?
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
The photograph—one of a series of some 52 large and 101 smaller stereo views Gardner made around the fort—appears as a seemingly self-explanatory illustration in books about the Indian Wars.
—Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2025
The last two are is pretty self-explanatory, but the gripper is a little more interesting.
—New Atlas, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-explanatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-explanatory
Adjective
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The proximity to Lincoln Center was an obvious draw for musicians, and renters included an avant-garde composer on the sixth floor, a bassist on the fourth, and an opera teacher on the ground level.—
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After successfully training rookie Jackson West, Angela sets her sights on becoming a detective while trying to ignore her obvious chemistry with defense attorney Wesley Evers (Shawn Ashmore).—
Adjective
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Mario Kart has to work as an entry point to gaming, something slow and comprehensible enough for your grandma to pick up.—
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That’s the novelist within the essayist, who loves a metaphor and senses that a metaphor will tend to be more comprehensible to the general reader than a thousand pages of closely argued Thomas Piketty.—
Adjective
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The animating impulse behind Proposition 50 is understandable.—
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Gary’s desperation throughout the episode is understandable.—
Adjective
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This is a dynamic that is evident to anybody who shops in the category.—
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But corruption, a decline in oil production and economic policies led to a crisis that became evident in 2012.—
Adjective
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Two people suffered life-threatening injuries and a suspect has been arrested in connection with an apparent stabbing in San Francisco on Saturday evening, police said.—
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For many of the previous 120 days, Tara tells Thomas what is happening to her, and convinces him of her situation through her apparent clairvoyance.—
Adjective
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Look for urea-free fertilizer that helps the plant absorb nitrogen more efficiently, and make sure to flush out the potting medium with plain water each month to prevent salt buildup that can harm the roots.—
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The goats prefer their trees plain.—
Adjective
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In one of the most deal-ridden and far too often contrived places on the globe, Steny was straightforward, smart, wise, direct, honest on the real odds about anything and everything, and blessed with a sense of humor that, if saintly in purpose, was devilishly clever in delivery.—
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The route is straightforward — but only for those who plan their travel through the independent ferry system in advance.—
Adjective
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This simple taupe geometric style peel-and-stick wallpaper is affordable, easy to apply, and looks gorgeous without being too bold or loud.—
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The simple addition of zipper detailing adds a preppy energy to the top.—
Cite this Entry
“Self-explanatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-explanatory. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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