DEMONSTRATE Synonyms: 148 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'demonstrate' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of demonstrate are evidence , evince , manifest , and show . While all these words mean "to reveal outwardly or make apparent," demonstrate implies showing by action or by display of feeling. // demonstrated their approval by loud applause

Q: When would 'evidence' be a good substitute for 'demonstrate'?

While in some cases nearly identical to demonstrate , evidence suggests serving as proof of the actuality or existence of something. // a commitment evidenced by years of loyal service

Q: When might 'evince' be a better fit than 'demonstrate'?

The meanings of evince and demonstrate largely overlap; however, evince implies a showing by outward marks or signs. // evinced not the slightest fear

Q: When could 'manifest' be used to replace 'demonstrate'?

Although the words manifest and demonstrate have much in common, manifest implies a plainer, more immediate revelation. // manifested musical ability at an early age

Q: When can 'show' be used instead of 'demonstrate'?

The words show and demonstrate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, show is the general term but sometimes implies that what is revealed must be gained by inference from acts, looks, or words. // careful not to show his true feelings

demonstrate

verb

ˈde-mən-ˌstrāt

Definition of demonstrate

as in to prove

to gain full recognition or acceptance of you must demonstrate your scientific thesis before a jury of your professional peers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to establish

to show the existence or truth of by evidence the paleontologist hopes to demonstrate that dinosaurs once existed in central Peru by unearthing the fossil evidence

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to reveal

to make known (something abstract) through outward signs the babysitter's actions during the emergency demonstrate beyond doubt her general dependability

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to explain

to make plain or understandable a few striking facts should demonstrate the complex nature of our topic

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to illustrate

to show or make clear by using examples the visiting physicist demonstrated very graphically several basic scientific principles

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word demonstrate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of demonstrate are evidence, evince, manifest, and show. While all these words mean "to reveal outwardly or make apparent," demonstrate implies showing by action or by display of feeling.

demonstrated their approval by loud applause

When would evidence be a good substitute for demonstrate?

While in some cases nearly identical to demonstrate, evidence suggests serving as proof of the actuality or existence of something.

a commitment evidenced by years of loyal service

When might evince be a better fit than demonstrate?

The meanings of evince and demonstrate largely overlap; however, evince implies a showing by outward marks or signs.

evinced not the slightest fear

When could manifest be used to replace demonstrate?

Although the words manifest and demonstrate have much in common, manifest implies a plainer, more immediate revelation.

manifested musical ability at an early age

When can show be used instead of demonstrate?

The words show and demonstrate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, show is the general term but sometimes implies that what is revealed must be gained by inference from acts, looks, or words.

careful not to show his true feelings

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of demonstrate Multiplying a dollar figure by the number of underage users who spend even a little time daily on social media—all while demonstrating no harm to these users—can hardly satisfy the demands of the law. — David B McGarry, Oc Register, 8 July 2026 Under their plan, students would need to demonstrate proficiency in interpreting data and navigating complex real-world documents as well as purely academic tasks like solving quadratic equations. — Tim Knowles, Fortune, 8 July 2026 Applicants who move forward must then provide a detailed writing sample demonstrating their ability to create game material. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 8 July 2026 Their work demonstrates how memory can take on part of the computing workload instead of simply storing data. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for demonstrate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for demonstrate

Verb

Women’s European Championship 2017 The exception that proves the rule.

— Michael Cox, New York Times, 14 July 2026
Ferrell said golf proved to be an ideal backdrop for comedy because of the challenges professional golfers face.

— Eva Andersen, CBS News, 14 July 2026

Definition of prove

Verb

The move came after the Fort Worth Zoning Commission voted on July 8 not to recommend that the city council adopt a sweeping proposal that would bring data centers into the city’s zoning code and establish development standards for them.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 July 2026
However, stabilization over the past few weeks has allowed for an oversold upturn in the weekly stochastics and consecutive weeks of improving momentum, which increases the likelihood that EWZ has established a low.

— Katie Stockton, CNBC, 13 July 2026

Definition of establish

Verb

Then in 2025, Deschanel revealed that initial casting choice in question was Katie Holmes.

— Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 8 July 2026
However, Luna’s close proximity with Chiron in Taurus can also reveal where our attachment to safety and comfort has essentially inhibited us from our own potential.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 8 July 2026

Definition of reveal

Verb

Lobello explains why soccer is such an efficient form of exercise and what the World Cup could mean for adults looking to get active.

— Nicole Williams, AJC.com, 14 July 2026
Shimizu voluntarily stayed in Vietnam after World War II to join the Việt Minh resistance, opposing French colonial reoccupation, the photographer explained.

— Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 14 July 2026

Definition of explain

Verb

Through their fantastical ordeals, the X-Men illustrate qualities that inspire viewers, young and old.

— Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
Scenes depicting Charles building the family’s new home, a robbery and even an expected pregnancy illustrate all of this.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 9 July 2026

Definition of illustrate

Verb

Certain tags have been more likely to get a post deleted or banned on Rednote, screenshots and searches show.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 July 2026
Videos and photos circulating on social media showed steel columns on the building’s higher floors buckling and contorting on Tuesday.

— Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 8 July 2026

Definition of show

Verb

Yet the hotel seems to want to be part of the larger Miami Beach community, whether luring locals to stop by for a drink, artists in the area to get their work displayed here, or musicians who just want to chill.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 13 July 2026
Using that engine, the Neo Geo code then makes a kind of proto frame buffer out of the console’s fix layer, an area of display memory that’s usually used to display menus and HUD information on top of gameplay.

— Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 13 July 2026

Definition of display

Verb

Known for his deep technical knowledge and signature milk punches, Gibson has brought that ingenuity to Lucky Star through his reserved cocktails, such as the cookies and cream made with rum, clarified milk tea and creme de cacao.

— Blair Crosby, AJC.com, 5 July 2026
During Murdaugh’s first status hearing on Monday, June 29, Judge Debra McCaslin did not rule on the DNA evidence, telling defense attorneys to clarify if the sample was viable.

— Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026

Definition of clarify

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demonstrable

demonstrate

demonstrated

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“Demonstrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demonstrate. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of demonstrate

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