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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of illustrate
Opioids illustrate the point most starkly.
—
Jahan Marcu, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
The anecdote also illustrates a leadership philosophy Weeks has maintained throughout his tenure.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2025
This aligns with research showing that rural social identity predicts skepticism of external experts, illustrating a rural orientation toward prudent distrust.
—Scott R. Schell, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
While most of the largest cities in the country have seen permit activity drop, a study by HomeAbroad also found that San Jose’s figures illustrated the most precipitous drop.
—Devan Patel, Mercury News, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illustrate
Jahan Marcu, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
The anecdote also illustrates a leadership philosophy Weeks has maintained throughout his tenure.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2025
This aligns with research showing that rural social identity predicts skepticism of external experts, illustrating a rural orientation toward prudent distrust.
—Scott R. Schell, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
While most of the largest cities in the country have seen permit activity drop, a study by HomeAbroad also found that San Jose’s figures illustrated the most precipitous drop.
—Devan Patel, Mercury News, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illustrate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrate
Verb
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Like something out of an early Transformers movie, researchers at Caltech have just demonstrated how a humanoid and a drone can team up to accomplish multiple forms of movement.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
18 Oct. 2025
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The department intends to make sure participants have a safe space to demonstrate and intends stop any unlawful activity.—
Darcie Moran,
Freep.com,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Walking deeper into a smelly cave along the Albania-Greece border, cavers shined their flashlights along the rock walls and illuminated a massive spider colony.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
22 Oct. 2025
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The blade flares into existence, its scarlet glow illuminating the cave, brighter than the lava, brighter than the runes.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Meanwhile, a founder scaling across Europe must incorporate separate entities in each country, untangle regulatory and employment codes in multiple languages and markets, and explain to engineers in Munich why their stock options are treated differently to their colleagues’ in Madrid.—
Jan Hammer,
Fortune,
18 Oct. 2025
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The connection appeared to be partly explained by higher levels of a gut bacterium called Eggerthella, a bacterium previously linked to inflammation and found in greater abundance among people with depression.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Responding to one analyst who believed the closing of the Versace deal was complete, Guerra clarified that the transaction is not closed.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
23 Oct. 2025
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The report does not clarify if this will lead to widespread layoffs.—
Abhishek Bhardwaj,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illustrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustrate. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
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