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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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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 This team of experts demonstrates the interdisciplinary nature of complex challenges. Thomas Bostick, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025 Once there, Josef gave Kerstin's care team a note to demonstrate that Elisabeth was Kerstin's mother who was away in a cult. Jessica Sager, People.com, 1 Mar. 2025 The 2021 governor race demonstrated how education, parental rights and the culture war motivated voters and contributed to Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin winning the election and flipping the governor seat after Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam's time in the governors mansion. Hannah Demissie, ABC News, 28 Feb. 2025 The contrast with the delicate dance that French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer demonstrated in visits with Trump this week was stark. Susan Page, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for demonstrate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demonstrate
Verb
  • The screen has also proved useful for the goalkeepers playing behind Flick’s radical high line.
    Laia Cervelló Herrero, The Athletic, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Ciara On The Cover: Ciara is Evolution Personified Ciara had already proven herself a musical powerhouse when her second album, The Evolution, was released in 2006.
    Kindred Editors, Parents, 12 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The initiative also pays homage to Hunt Hill Farm’s heritage, especially its role as the home of the local Plow-to-Plate program established in the 1980s by Ruth Henderson, founder of the New York Pops orchestra with her husband Skitch, decades ago.
    Pamela Brown, Hartford Courant, 1 Mar. 2025
  • One of the city’s key goals outlined in its 2022 plan to reduce homelessness was to establish a permanent low-barrier shelter.
    Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 1 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • On the night of the Academy Awards, as the year’s best picture is revealed, attendees inside the Dolby Theatre sit through the thank-you speech, tears and applause.
    Beatrice Verhoeven, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Mar. 2025
  • The phishing campaign employs malicious adverts that have been created to impersonate PayPal and display the official PayPal website, the report revealed.
    Davey Winder, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Huntsville Police Sergeant Christopher Jackson explained how the law specifically targets those who deliberately modify their vehicles to be louder.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
  • To ensure that everyone gets a fair chance in the H-1B lottery season, the H-1B modernization rule explained that only one entry will be accepted per individual.
    Sophie Alcorn, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Such collections illustrate the unique and tough-to-replicate advantages of manufacturing in the City of Angels.
    Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Overall Vital Considerations Of course, the example shown is a relatively simple one and was merely undertaken to quickly illustrate how this works.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The first detailed nationwide data on schools’ recovery shows that achievement gaps have widened, with the poorest students the furthest behind.
    Aatish Bhatia, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Further showing the strong bond and dedication to connecting to fans, fans decided on the LP’s tracklist via voting, with the group utilizing nostalgic iPod imagery and playlist artwork to help hype up the release.
    Jeff Benjamin, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The event was inspired by the Korean pottery displayed in the museum’s Gerstner Collections Core.
    Joan MacDonald, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Some proudly display the Israeli flag in their sanctuaries.
    Yonat Shimron, NPR, 9 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Markets hit a low last Thursday after Trump clarified that sweeping tariffs—25% on Mexico and Canada, and another 10% on China—will go into effect this Tuesday.
    Megan Poinski, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
  • The nation's largest grocery chain announced McMullen's resignation on Monday, clarifying that the investigation did not pertain to the company's business operations, financial performance, or reporting.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Demonstrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demonstrate. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.

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