underexplains
Leaves out details
Underexplains means to explain something insufficiently—leaving out crucial details, context, or steps that the audience needs to understand.
A teacher who underexplains a concept leaves students confused.
The manual underexplains the installation process, assuming users already know the basics.
The word implies a gap between what was said and what needed saying.
Not sufficient for purpose
- incompleteLacking necessary parts
- superficialLacking depth or substance
- cursoryHasty and incomplete
- perfunctoryDone with minimal effort
sketchy · deficient · sparse · meager · scant · thin · shallow · lacking
Makes excessively basic
- generalizesForms broad principles
- reducesMakes less in quantity
- abstractsCondensed versions of documents
- summarizesRestates in brief
streamlines · downplays · de-emphasizes · diminishes · minimizes · trivializes · flattens · dilutes
Not easily understood
- ambiguousHaving multiple interpretations
- nebulousUnclear and formless
- impreciseLacking exactness or accuracy
- inexplicitNot clearly expressed
fuzzy · indefinite · indistinct · murky · opaque · elliptical · cryptic · enigmatic
Short in duration
- laconicBrief in expression
- succinctExpressed with minimal words
- curtAbruptly rude in speech
- clippedCut or trimmed briefly
concise · spare · pithy · telegraphic · abrupt · brusque · monosyllabic · tight-lipped
inadequate
Not sufficient for purpose
- incompleteLacking necessary parts
- superficialLacking depth or substance
- cursoryHasty and incomplete
perfunctory · sketchy · deficient · sparse · meager · scant · thin · shallow · lacking · underdeveloped
oversimplifies
Makes excessively basic
- generalizesForms broad principles
- reducesMakes less in quantity
- abstractsCondensed versions of documents
summarizes · streamlines · downplays · de-emphasizes · diminishes · minimizes · trivializes · flattens · dilutes · skirts
unclear
Not easily understood
- ambiguousHaving multiple interpretations
- nebulousUnclear and formless
- impreciseLacking exactness or accuracy
inexplicit · fuzzy · indefinite · indistinct · murky · opaque · elliptical · cryptic · enigmatic · muddled
brief
Short in duration
clipped · concise · spare · pithy · telegraphic · abrupt · brusque · monosyllabic · tight-lipped · reticent
underexplainsoverexplains
Clarifies beyond necessity
belabors · overelaborates · elaborates · expounds · spells out
underexplainsclarifies
Makes more understandable
elucidates · illuminates · makes clear · demystifies · breaks down