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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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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 Early reports suggest the experimental system demonstrated exceptional performance under conditions that typically disrupt conventional radar. Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2025 Lipa also demonstrated her soulful strut with an unexpected guest, Chaka Khan. Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2025 The seven standouts included on this list demonstrate the versatility of the aft space and the differing approaches to aesthetics. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 5 Sep. 2025 That means eating all types of foods and not demonstrating guilt when consuming an occasional fatty or sugary snack. Adrienne Farr, Parents, 5 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for demonstrate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demonstrate
Verb
  • There was no such good fortune this time in the Pacific Northwest as Washington proved to be too big, too fast and too good, coming in as a 35-point favorite and then unleashing a record performance.
    Joe Davidosn, Sacbee.com, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Ultimately, the Bundys and five others were acquitted of all charges after jurors said prosecutors failed to prove their intent.
    Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The roots of my family tree are firmly established in the soil of Great Britain.
    Elizabeth Bass Parman, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Period-appropriate musical elements will help establish the nostalgic atmosphere.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • But a butt dial revealed the truth about what actually happened, the complaint alleges.
    KC Baker, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Alongside this, large-scale genetic studies have revealed sweeping changes in the human brain that are not seen in other mammals.
    Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • At each camp, the team leaves behind a small but powerful item, a red card that explains what to do during encounters with immigration officials.
    David Rodriguez Muñoz, Freep.com, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The powers that be explained to me that in the audiobook, there would be no easy way to identify the bees’ chapters, which were designated with italics in the printed version, unless the narrator’s voice changed from female to male.
    Elizabeth Bass Parman, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Budding influencers have been warned to look after their health, after researchers illustrated what the average influencer might look like come the year 2050.
    Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
  • That could look like a tool or dashboard that illustrates where the AI is highly accurate or where human intervention might be needed.
    Marne Martin, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • For Tyler, the performance marked his return to the awards show stage after retiring from touring due to vocal injury.
    Stacy Lambe, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The season-starting installment showed the duo arriving in London only to find a single living person remaining in the form of Stephen Merchant’s Julian.
    Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Advertisement What weapons did China display at the parade?
    Chad de Guzman, Time, 3 Sep. 2025
  • The parade displayed large numbers of Chinese troops and military equipment, ranging from tanks and drones to long-range and nuclear ballistic missiles.
    David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The last two years have been clarifying, and not only in unpleasant ways.
    Jack Sheehan September 4, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025
  • However, the cruise line did not confirm the identity of the individuals and did not clarify what caused the distress.
    Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Demonstrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demonstrate. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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