Synonyms of demonstrate

demonstrate

verb

ˈde-mən-ˌstrāt 

1

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

• prove
• establish
• show
• confirm
• substantiate
• justify
• verify
• uphold
• document
• sustain
• validate
• evidence
• support
• attest
• bear out
• corroborate
• authenticate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disprove
• invalidate
• refute
• discredit
• rebut
• confute

2

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

• prove
• establish
• validate
• identify
• confirm
• verify
• substantiate
• document
• corroborate
• evidence
• uphold
• evince
• support
• adduce
• record
• attest
• buttress
• certify
• witness
• testify
• sustain
• authenticate
• vouch
• circumstantiate
• confess
• back (up)
• clinch
• depose
• nail
• settle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• refute
• disprove
• object
• challenge
• rebut
• assume
• guess
• dispute
• presume
• suspect
• allege
• surmise
• conjecture

3

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

• reveal
• show
• display
• betray
• expose
• communicate
• evince
• manifest
• declare
• disclose
• give away
• bespeak
• uncover
• sound
• announce
• proclaim
• advertise
• bare
• publicize
• broadcast
• air
• project
• unbosom
• uncloak
• blaze
• trumpet
• placard

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• misrepresent
• belie
• distort
• falsify
• disguise
• twist
• camouflage
• conceal
• hide
• cover
• obscure
• gloss (over)
• occlude
• whitewash
• mask
• gild
• veil
• varnish
• garble
• counterfeit

4

as in to explain

to make plain or understandable

a few striking facts should demonstrate the complex nature of our topic

Synonyms & Similar Words

• explain
• illustrate
• clarify
• illuminate
• interpret
• simplify
• elucidate
• explicate
• construe
• expound
• demystify
• analyze
• spell out
• clear (up)
• get across
• resolve
• define
• specify
• solve
• decipher
• unriddle
• decode
• unravel
• disentangle
• undo
• untangle
• annotate
• break down
• unscramble
• gloss
• commentate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• obscure
• confuse
• confound
• cloud
• obfuscate
• befog

5

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

• illustrate
• explain
• exemplify
• clarify
• analyze
• specify
• instance
• mention
• cite
• interpret
• quote
• elucidate
• detail
• adduce
• illuminate
• explicate
• clear (up)
• enlighten
• simplify
• construe
• expound
• spell out
• list
• name
• edify
• enumerate
• break down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• obscure
• muddy
• blur
• darken
• confuse
• cloud
• becloud
• puzzle
• fog
• perplex

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

Recent Examples of demonstrate

Upstairs, Justus demonstrated how the large exterior windows crank open, allowing the fall air and sound of cars whizzing down Main Street to spill in. —Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2025

Attorneys told Public Investigator that Kaplan's story demonstrates the importance of developing a clear plan for returning to work while managing a disability. —Tamia Fowlkes, jsonline.com, 23 Oct. 2025

Parishes looking to build a columbarium must first demonstrate self-sustainability and the ability to match parish supply and demand of niches over the next 200 years, Casey said. —Andy Humbles, Nashville Tennessean, 23 Oct. 2025

In all three sets, the Bulldogs (15-4) held leads of seven, five, and four but Kelly said the Cardinals have demonstrated an ability to crawl back all season. —Zachary McMahon, Boston Herald, 23 Oct. 2025