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
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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
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of illustrate
The scene illustrated a transformation within Habitat for Humanity, which has since the 1970s relied on community members to help construct homes from their foundations to the roofs.
—
Addie Costello, jsonline.com, 5 Nov. 2025
The Never-Ending Act There’s a quote by Robbins’ Dufresne in The Shawshank Redemption that illustrates so much of our conversation.
—Senior Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
The government affidavit said Lopez posted a video of a man holding up a gun before a picture of Trump with a crosshairs target illustrated on his head appeared on screen.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 4 Nov. 2025
Entanglement—the idea that two particles are linked even at a vast distance—helped illustrate the characters’ desperate yearning to recreate the past.
—Literary Hub, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illustrate
Addie Costello, jsonline.com, 5 Nov. 2025
The Never-Ending Act There’s a quote by Robbins’ Dufresne in The Shawshank Redemption that illustrates so much of our conversation.
—Senior Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
The government affidavit said Lopez posted a video of a man holding up a gun before a picture of Trump with a crosshairs target illustrated on his head appeared on screen.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 4 Nov. 2025
Entanglement—the idea that two particles are linked even at a vast distance—helped illustrate the characters’ desperate yearning to recreate the past.
—Literary Hub, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illustrate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrate
Verb
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Published in Advanced Functional Materials, the work demonstrates that the coatings are functional, robust, and suited to long-term outdoor deployment.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Nov. 2025
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The money both clubs have spent brings a demand and an expectation for trophy successes, but, as Liverpool demonstrated last season, there is a strength to be drawn from stability.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Adjacent to this space, the dining room offers sweeping mountain and lake views, while the nearby kitchen is a culinary dream, complete with stainless-steel appliances, practical pullout cabinetry, and a skylight illuminating the central island.—
Demetrius Simms,
Robb Report,
5 Nov. 2025
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On December 1, the tree lighting ceremony at McAdenville Lake features a giant switch to illuminate the main tree, with local schoolchildren competing for the honor of flipping the switch.—
Shameika Rhymes,
USA Today,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Since proper vesicle recycling is crucial for brain communication, this mechanism could explain why patients experience diverse symptoms – from movement problems to memory loss – depending on which brain regions are affected first.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
8 Nov. 2025
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Speaking on The Allison Hagendorf Show, Perry, the lead singer, explained just how the stars aligned for 4 Non Blondes to take the stage together once again.—
Virginia Chamlee,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Republican leadership faces mounting pressure to address internal divisions, clarify the GOP's platform and offer policy alternatives for key issues like health care, the cost of living and economic insecurity.—
Deputy News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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Regular honey is processed by filtration and heating, which removes or inactivates many of the beneficial compounds in honey, but clarifies it and prolongs its shelf life.—
Angela Ryan Lee,
Verywell Health,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illustrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustrate. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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