expound

American  

[ik-spound] / ɪkˈspaʊnd /

verb (used with object)

1. to set forth or state in detail.

   to expound theories.

2. to explain; interpret.

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verb (used without object)

1. to make a detailed statement (often followed byon ).

expound British  

/ ɪkˈspaʊnd /

verb

1. to explain or set forth (an argument, theory, etc) in detail

   to expound on one's theories

   he expounded his reasoning

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Usage

What are other ways to say expound? To expound something is to set it forth or state it in detail. How does expound differ from elucidate, explain, and interpret? Find out on Thesaurus.com.

Other Word Forms

• expounder noun
• preexpound verb (used with object)
• unexpounded adjective

Etymology

Origin of expound

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English expounen, expounden, from Old French espondre, from Latin expōnere “to put out, set forth, explain,” equivalent to ex- ex- ¹ + pōnere “to put”

Example Sentences

“The Rip” is consumed by the need to expound and interpret its own narrative at every turn.

From Salon

Cabello expounds for hours at a time, mixing political commentary with dark humor as a small audience claps and laughs.

From The Wall Street Journal

"The Civil War was about how Ireland should conduct itself in relation to the rest of the world and in relation to the British," he expounds.

From BBC

“I therefore deprecate attempts to expound Wittgenstein’s thought as a finished thing.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Since then, I’ve spent more than 40 years researching and expounding the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• clarify
• delineate
• exemplify
• explain
• explicate
• express
• illustrate
• set forth
• spell out