1
as in to demonstrate
to show or make clear by using examples
she illustrated her point with a story about her experiences as a field anthropologist
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to illuminate
to supplement with pictorial matter for the purpose of explanation or decoration
lavishly illustrated the monograph on Caravaggio with color plates
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to explain
to make plain or understandable
the recent devastating fire illustrates the need for improved safety codes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of illustrate
How the Kerrville, Texas, flood gauge jumped on July 4
The suddenness of the disaster at Camp Mystic is starkly illustrated by data from a gauge on the Guadalupe River near Kerrville.
—
Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 7 July 2025
Only Bournemouth, Newcastle and Liverpool won the ball more often outside their own defensive third than Arteta’s side last season, but as the graph below illustrates, only 6.7 per cent of those resulted in a shot within 10 seconds, the third-lowest rate in the division.
—Thom Harris, New York Times, 7 July 2025
But the quest for ideological purity is present with Democrats as well, something illustrated by critiques of Senator John Fetterman and efforts by former co-vice chair of the Democratic Party David Hogg to support left-wing candidates in primary challenges against moderates.
—Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 7 July 2025
The street-level museum includes a theater and giant screen that illustrates how the 1930 building, designed by Holabird & Root and for decades Chicago’s tallest, rose on the site of the original trading exchange.
—Brian J. Rogal, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for illustrate
Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 7 July 2025
Only Bournemouth, Newcastle and Liverpool won the ball more often outside their own defensive third than Arteta’s side last season, but as the graph below illustrates, only 6.7 per cent of those resulted in a shot within 10 seconds, the third-lowest rate in the division.
—Thom Harris, New York Times, 7 July 2025
But the quest for ideological purity is present with Democrats as well, something illustrated by critiques of Senator John Fetterman and efforts by former co-vice chair of the Democratic Party David Hogg to support left-wing candidates in primary challenges against moderates.
—Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 7 July 2025
The street-level museum includes a theater and giant screen that illustrates how the 1930 building, designed by Holabird & Root and for decades Chicago’s tallest, rose on the site of the original trading exchange.
—Brian J. Rogal, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for illustrate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrate
Verb
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These weren't amateur attempts at gaming the system — they were carefully crafted prompt injections that demonstrated deep understanding of how AI systems process text and respond to instructions.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
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Given to the forward who demonstrates throughout the season the most skill in the defensive component of the game.—
The Athletic NHL Staff,
New York Times,
12 July 2025
Verb
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Just as Baldwin illuminated Douglass’s historical critique, Ta-Nehisi Coates has extended this analysis to contemporary America.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
4 July 2025
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Nights are now the shortest, and the time that a satellite in low Earth orbit (like the ISS and Tiangong) can remain illuminated by the sun can extend throughout the night, a situation that can never be attained during other times of the year.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
3 July 2025
Verb
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Stevens explains that there are three things to consider when looking at sustainability in swim: materials and process innovation, communication and transparency, and giving back.—
Alyssa Hardy,
Vogue,
1 July 2025
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Brad Kirner, director of destination development at Cook Islands Tourism Corporation, explained in the email interview that with tourism making up around 70% of the Cook Islands’ GDP, the border closure due to COVID-19 essentially froze the economy overnight.—
Emese Maczko,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
Verb
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Her communications director later clarified on X that Gillibrand had misspoken.—
Rebecca Schneid,
Time,
30 June 2025
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The bill is the Legislature’s third attempt since the 2021 collapse of the Champlain Towers South in Surfside to clarify safety measures imposed to prevent further catastrophes.—
Ron Hurtibise,
Sun Sentinel,
28 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illustrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustrate. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
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