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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:

If machines cannot interpret the unspoken context behind human intentions, reliably aligning advanced AI systems with human goals may prove impossible.

From Science Daily Jul. 14, 2026

But the Middle East conflict is continuing to make German industrial data difficult to interpret, Sebastian Wanke, an economist at KfW Research, said in a note.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 7, 2026

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

From Slate Jul. 2, 2026

No special detector should be needed to interpret this signal.

From Barron's Jun. 30, 2026

“Look, man,” I said, trying to calm the guy down, “I didn’t mean you couldn’t read read. I was just sayin’ the Bible’s hard to interpret.

From "We Were Here" by Matt De La Peña

A "reasoning model" trained on task-specific examples interprets the goal and formulates Phantom's action plan.

From BBC Jun. 8, 2026

Its on-board AI interprets the data, identifying objects even when mounted on autonomous craft with no remote connectivity.

From The Wall Street Journal May 15, 2026

Like many autistic people, Haight’s mind interprets language in its most literal sense.

From Los Angeles Times Apr. 1, 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

But they also light up when the brain interprets something as pleasurable, even if the behavior doesn’t appear to have the survival value of, say, eating or procreating.

From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel

Mexican boxer Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez interpreted the scene as the Argentine captain deliberately kicking the jersey and accused him of disrespecting Mexico — an allegation that Messi denied.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 15, 2026

Although these findings may sound concerning, they should be interpreted with caution.

From Science Daily Jul. 14, 2026

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

Some interpreted such a move as a signal that Meta was seeing lower-than-expected demand for its own AI products.

From MarketWatch Jul. 13, 2026

Mom once told me that Dad’s father interpreted all of Dad’s big goals as rejections of the family he came from.

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison

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

If I’m trying to look stern as I give you a tongue-lashing, I’ll have no difficulty doing so, and you’ll have no difficulty interpreting my glare.

From "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell




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