explicate vs formulate

explicate and formulate both are verbs.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
explicate	No	No	Yes	No
formulate	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, explicate and formulate are synonyms defined as:

Other synonyms of explicate include develop.

explicate (verb)	formulate (verb)
make plain and comprehensible	put into words or an expression
elaborate, as of theories and hypotheses	elaborate, as of theories and hypotheses
	come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort
	prepare according to a formula