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interpret

[in-tur-prit] / ɪnˈtɜr prɪt /


Usage

What are other ways to say interpret? To interpret is to give the meaning of something by paraphrase, by translation, or by an explanation based on personal opinion: to interpret a poem or a symbol. To expound is to give a methodical, detailed, scholarly explanation of something, usually Scriptures, doctrines, or philosophy: to expound the doctrine of free will. To explain is to make plain, clear, or intelligible something that is not known or understood: to explain a theory or a problem. To elucidate is to throw light on what before was dark and obscure, usually by illustration and commentary and sometimes by elaborate explanation: They asked him to elucidate his statement. 

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Mr. Bailey chooses not to interpret any further than that.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 17, 2026

This process, known as parallel visual processing, allows the brain to interpret complex images almost instantly by sending different types of information along separate pathways.

From Science Daily Jul. 14, 2026

Without their struggle, there is no 14th Amendment to interpret.

From Slate Jul. 2, 2026

Investors are nervous about a quieter Fed, fearing more market volatility, and are still debating how to interpret Warsh.

From The Wall Street Journal Jun. 30, 2026

“I hope not. If Muriel cures your brother, the fairies could interpret it as an insult.”

From "Fablehaven" by Brandon Mull

It interprets Coachella as a cultural event, deciding what matters, where to look, and how the festival is ultimately remembered.

From Los Angeles Times Apr. 26, 2026

The director has said that he interprets the death wish in the opera as part of the cycle of rebirth.

From The Wall Street Journal Mar. 11, 2026

That history of mistrust is an important backdrop to Thursday's escalation, shaping how Baku interprets every move coming from Tehran.

From BBC Mar. 5, 2026

Huber interprets Zuckerberg’s statement as a sign that nobody really knows how and when these massive investments will pay off — not even the leaders of the companies doing the spending.

From MarketWatch Feb. 7, 2026

For the King, or at least this is how Malory interprets him, was the patron saint of chivalry.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White

The Interior Department finalized the changes to its regulations last week, overturning five decades of precedent in how the law is interpreted.

From Barron's Jul. 14, 2026

“That support is limited to this temporary use of the site and should not be interpreted as support for any future permanent proposal.”

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 13, 2026

His estimate left me with less than $600 in payment, and I did not sign or deposit the check because I did not want it to be interpreted as accepting the settlement.

From MarketWatch Jul. 10, 2026

During his 2006 confirmation hearings, he never even mentioned the O-word, though he did say the Constitution should be interpreted based on how people understood it when it was adopted.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 10, 2026

At first Fernanda interpreted that bustle as an attack of senile madness and it was difficult for her to suppress her exasperation.

From "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Gustavo Duque, mayor of Chacao, a middle-class Caracas neighbourhood, urges caution in interpreting the red sign too simply.

From Barron's Jul. 8, 2026

But these views deserve no weight in interpreting the amendments’ transformative guarantees.

From Slate Jul. 8, 2026

But in Barbara, Kavanaugh was willing to consider evidence about modern air travel when interpreting that amendment.

From Salon Jul. 6, 2026

Under the old system, the state superintendent has overseen grants while also interpreting state education law and making sure schools complied.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 1, 2026

I understood Hebrew well enough to read it, but I had always struggled with actually interpreting the passages.

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros




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