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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of illustrate
Spitalnick said Mamdani has an opportunity to model and illustrate how someone who has a deep commitment to Palestinian rights can also be committed to Jewish safety.
—
Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 23 Mar. 2026
The 2020 killing of Qassem Soleimani illustrates how intelligence, surveillance, and precision strikes converge.
—The Ai Insider, Interesting Engineering, 23 Mar. 2026
Conor Healy, director of research at surveillance research publication IPVM, said Khamenei’s killing illustrates a pressing security dilemma for governments seeking to quash dissent.
—ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026
For another ad, some actors were used to fill out a team for a pep talk, and in another Auriemma illustrated plays using an apple for Azzi, an orange for Sarah.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illustrate
Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 23 Mar. 2026
The 2020 killing of Qassem Soleimani illustrates how intelligence, surveillance, and precision strikes converge.
—The Ai Insider, Interesting Engineering, 23 Mar. 2026
Conor Healy, director of research at surveillance research publication IPVM, said Khamenei’s killing illustrates a pressing security dilemma for governments seeking to quash dissent.
—ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026
For another ad, some actors were used to fill out a team for a pep talk, and in another Auriemma illustrated plays using an apple for Azzi, an orange for Sarah.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illustrate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrate
Verb
-
The idea behind this is to invoke the double-slit experiment, which demonstrates how light behaves as both a particle and a wave, depending on how it is observed.—
David Szondy
March 28,
New Atlas,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Harvard Business School professor Amy Edmondson has demonstrated — across decades of team research — that psychological safety is the single strongest predictor of team performance.—
Charles Edward Gehrke,
Fortune,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The dining room, finished with rich wood wainscoting, is illuminated by a modern chandelier that hints at the apartment’s contemporary touches.—
Mark David,
Robb Report,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The result is a sandwich that illuminates, a sandwich that delights, a sandwich that redefines the Italian combo as a structure, a set of relationships, a formula that admits many solutions.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Iannarelli explained that a core element of de-escalation is projecting calmness, as individuals often mimic those who appear angry and agitated.—
Evonne Andris,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The justices did not issue an opinion explaining their decision to stay Duckett’s execution.—
Martin E. Comas,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Stepping outside your everyday life has a way of clarifying what actually matters, and returning home with fresh eyes often makes the decisions that felt tough seem far more manageable.—
Kirah Tabourn,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Start by clarifying priorities and boundaries this morning, then build steady momentum through the afternoon as support gathers and timing clicks into place.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illustrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustrate. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
