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
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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
Her rapid-fire lyrical delivery with her two backup singers coupled with horns even more scintillating live illustrated why that song deserves its exclamation point.
—
Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2026
In Old Goa the Museum of Christian Art, in the 17th-century Convent of Santa Monica, illustrates the imprint of Indian artisanship on the holy objects and textiles found in the region's early churches.
—Karina Acharya, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Apr. 2026
For Euphoria creator and producer Sam Levinson, Sunday night’s wedding needed to illustrate this in the most excessive way possible, both to accurately represent the psychology of their characters and act as a launchpad for the rest of the season’s drama.
—Zoe Papelis, Vulture, 27 Apr. 2026
The move illustrated a major intervention by the state in the local justice system, one of Kansas City’s few avenues for police accountability due to the city’s lack of control over its police force.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illustrate
Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2026
In Old Goa the Museum of Christian Art, in the 17th-century Convent of Santa Monica, illustrates the imprint of Indian artisanship on the holy objects and textiles found in the region's early churches.
—Karina Acharya, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Apr. 2026
For Euphoria creator and producer Sam Levinson, Sunday night’s wedding needed to illustrate this in the most excessive way possible, both to accurately represent the psychology of their characters and act as a launchpad for the rest of the season’s drama.
—Zoe Papelis, Vulture, 27 Apr. 2026
The move illustrated a major intervention by the state in the local justice system, one of Kansas City’s few avenues for police accountability due to the city’s lack of control over its police force.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illustrate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrate
Verb
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The ancestors demonstrate to the future the work that is yet to be done.—
Glenn Adamson,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
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In the ’90s, the blockbuster sales of two flea-and-tick medications, Frontline and Advantage, demonstrated untapped demand, and then intensified that demand by enabling new levels of indoor intimacy between dogs and people.—
Ross Andersen,
The Atlantic,
2 May 2026
Verb
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Arellano was recognized for opinion writing for his columns illuminating the fear and devastation of local immigrants during last summer’s ICE raids.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 May 2026
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But such moments when a TNO is illuminated by a star in the cosmic background, called stellar occultations, are rare opportunities to study the size, shape and features of a small, distant object, Arimatsu said.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
4 May 2026
Verb
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Perhaps the aether did exist, but it could never be construed as being in motion by an observer on the Earth, because the aether itself was being dragged by objects traveling through space, such as the Earth, explaining why a null result was obtained.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
7 May 2026
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The impacts of these events still feel fresh, Serpi explains through a digital translator.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
7 May 2026
Verb
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Uthmeier’s office declined to confirm or clarify its arguments to the Herald/Times, saying the case is confidential.—
Romy Ellenbogen,
Miami Herald,
8 May 2026
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Shah clarified on the May 6 video call that the financial model for independent schools relies on tuition covering roughly 70% of operating costs, with the remaining 30% dependent on giving.—
Claire Murphy,
Chicago Tribune,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illustrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustrate. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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