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

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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 The states eventually may have to demonstrate that the Justice Department should not have approved the Paramount-Warner merger. — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026 The measures came after a social media restriction trial demonstrated positive results with teens saying an overnight curfew improved sleep and concentration. — Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 15 July 2026 The spacecraft is due to launch in October and, if successful, will demonstrate the ability to radiate heat efficiently and run useful workloads for customers, Johnston said. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 15 July 2026 Researchers have demonstrated that deep learning can tamper with medical images while preserving a clinically plausible appearance. — Henry Bair, STAT, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for demonstrate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for demonstrate

Verb

That may prove reasonable if store openings remain productive, franchisees continue earning strong returns, and same-store sales hold up.

— Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
But their journey to catch up with the Rivermen proves increasingly difficult, after one of their horses gets caught in a trap.

— Matt Minton, Variety, 20 July 2026

Definition of prove

Verb

Boras generally prefers his clients to establish their values on the open market.

— Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 21 July 2026
And last year’s constitutional reforms had already established a one-party system in a country where opposition leaders no longer exist, because they have been exiled.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 21 July 2026

Definition of establish

Verb

Bone must be separated from surrounding rock millimeter by millimeter with a pneumatic chisel, whose needle gently breaks away rock while ultraviolet light reveals where the bone ends and the surrounding rock begins.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 July 2026
Smart did reveal some interesting nuggets about his team this fall in his various interviews during SEC media days.

— Connor Riley, AJC.com, 22 July 2026

Definition of reveal

Verb

But Antonelli’s ease with the new cars and Russell’s discomfort with having to adopt a radically new driving style can’t explain the half-second gap between the pair in qualifying.

— Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 20 July 2026
When pressed repeatedly by a Fox News cohost for specifics on the operation, Homan explained that disclosing that type of information could risk officer safety and prompt criminals to flee.

— Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 20 July 2026

Definition of explain

Verb

Governing Oceans Through Data Indonesia’s experience illustrates a broader global transformation in maritime governance.

— IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 16 July 2026
By redoing it, albeit with more high-tech equipment than was available in 1919, Harksen hopes to illustrate that even monumental experiments can be re-created by the average person.

— Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 15 July 2026

Definition of illustrate

Verb

Justice John Dixon said Bauer Media had failed to show the claims made about Wilson were substantially true or trivial.

— Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
Techradar’s recent survey on consumer attitudes to AI shows a drop in the use of AI services such as Gemini and ChatGPT.

— Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Definition of show

Verb

Various jerseys from throughout his athletic career were displayed in frames on either side of the casket, including his football jerseys from Ocean Springs High School and Mississippi Community College in Summit, Miss.

— Janelle Griffith, PEOPLE, 20 July 2026
In her first-round loss, Williams displayed powerful serves while her daughters Olympia and Adira Ohanian looked on.

— Lynda Lin Grigsby, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026

Definition of display

Verb

Mars drives your 10th House of Career forward, while Saturn in your 8th House of Shared Resources clarifies obligations, approvals, and support.

— Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 July 2026
The bill also clarifies that only those powered by liquid fuel, such as gasoline, require a muffler.

— Madison Smalstig July 18, Sacbee.com, 18 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 22 Jul. 2026.

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