account for

Speech parts

1. account for - Verb

2. account for - Phrase

Meaning

give reasons for

be the reason or explanation for

Source: WordNet

Synonyms

form allow square describe establish explain consist defend elaborate constitute sustain interpret justify comprise clarify
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Antonyms

block bar arrest hide suppress mask
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Hypernyms

explain explicate be

Examples

It is a test of true theories not only to account for but to predict phenomena. William Whewell

The first business of philosophy is to account for things as they are; and till our theories will do this, they ought not to be the ground of any practical conclusion. Thomas Malthus

It has always appeared to me, that there is so much to be done in this world, that all self-inflicted suffering which cannot be turned to good account for others, is a loss - a loss, if you may so express it, to the spiritual world. Arthur Helps

If there were a clear prospect that such evils were part of a barbarian past, then at least we might find a small crumb of comfort. No such prospect exists: no scientific analysis can even remotely answer or account for past and present horrors of human behaviour. Simon Conway Morris

I don't believe in luck, Sam. Luck is a tag given by the mediocre to account for the accomplishments of genius. Robert A. Heinlein

It takes taste to account for taste. Spanish Proverb

Words in the phrase

account for

Close letter words and terms

account debtor account exec account executive account holder account in the newspaper account inventory