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
The social media user also shared images of the woman in the commercial to illustrate their point.
—
Moná Thomas, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
And Breakfast No one’s experience better illustrates Harrisonburg’s magnetic pull than that of Becca and Joel Graham.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 24 Aug. 2025
His chance-creation map illustrates a threat from all areas of the pitch, in contrast to Eze’s preference for the left-hand side.
—Elias Burke, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2025
Now in the second year of his sojourn into country music, the moment illustrated how much Post Malone has embraced country music culture.
—Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illustrate
Moná Thomas, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
And Breakfast No one’s experience better illustrates Harrisonburg’s magnetic pull than that of Becca and Joel Graham.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 24 Aug. 2025
His chance-creation map illustrates a threat from all areas of the pitch, in contrast to Eze’s preference for the left-hand side.
—Elias Burke, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2025
Now in the second year of his sojourn into country music, the moment illustrated how much Post Malone has embraced country music culture.
—Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illustrate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrate
Verb
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Watch Thelma on Hulu Kinds of Kindness Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, this 2024 dark dramedy anthology is told across three loosely interwoven chapters, each exploring characters who take extraordinary measures to demonstrate their love to someone else.—
Hannah Kerns,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
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The Royals demonstrated patience and diligently worked favorable counts before landing the knockout blow.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The blend helps reduce the appearance of dark spots and illuminate the complexion in just a few weeks of consistent use.—
Akili King,
Vogue,
10 Sep. 2025
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The slit lamp is a specialized microscope with a bright light that creates a thin, intense beam to illuminate the eye.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Health,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
-
The last two years have been clarifying, and not only in unpleasant ways.—
Jack Sheehan
September 4,
Literary Hub,
4 Sep. 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Illustrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustrate. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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