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 coaches of the men’s and women’s basketball teams have shown high character over the years, illustrated by Geno Auriemma.
—
Letters To The Editor, Hartford Courant, 11 Apr. 2026
But there’s still the question of whether the Altman piece — which uses the visual aesthetic of job-stealing, uncanny AI slop to illustrate a Ronan Farrow article about the dark prince of job-stealing, uncanny AI slop — works.
—Cath Virginia, The Verge, 11 Apr. 2026
Advertisement For Iran, the situation is considerably more complicated, and the complications illustrate the fragility of the ceasefire.
—Pegah Banihashemi, Time, 10 Apr. 2026
McCloud’s Hidden Reflection will go in the private dining room and illustrate different locations that are important to the former president.
—Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illustrate
Letters To The Editor, Hartford Courant, 11 Apr. 2026
But there’s still the question of whether the Altman piece — which uses the visual aesthetic of job-stealing, uncanny AI slop to illustrate a Ronan Farrow article about the dark prince of job-stealing, uncanny AI slop — works.
—Cath Virginia, The Verge, 11 Apr. 2026
Advertisement For Iran, the situation is considerably more complicated, and the complications illustrate the fragility of the ceasefire.
—Pegah Banihashemi, Time, 10 Apr. 2026
McCloud’s Hidden Reflection will go in the private dining room and illustrate different locations that are important to the former president.
—Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illustrate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrate
Verb
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The Griffin lander will demonstrate its ability to land with no official NASA payload, but will touch down on Mons Mouton near the western rim of Nobile crater close to the lunar south pole.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2026
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In the competitive landscape, the model is expected to go head-to-head with rivals such as the Geely Galaxy M9, a large plug-in hybrid SUV that has already demonstrated strong early market traction with more than 11,000 deliveries in just the first two months of the year.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Nearly 100 trail lights that illuminate the way along a popular stretch of historic Bartram's Garden in Philadelphia were stripped for copper over a series of incidents in March, a park spokesperson said.—
Terra Sullivan,
CBS News,
13 Apr. 2026
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Turns out, report cards with smiley faces don’t illuminate Lucy’s knowledge of mathematics or help Juan decide what public school is best for his son.—
Abby McCloskey,
Twin Cities,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Burke explained, however, the homes may be isolated by water covering the road.—
Madeline King,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
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Davis explained that gas taxes aren't like a sales tax — suspending them won't directly pass all of the savings to the consumer.—
Kathryn Watson,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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However, the researchers clarify that this principle applies only to objects with mass and to signals that carry energy or information.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Apr. 2026
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Now, the researchers are in conversation, trying to clarify terms, fix misunderstandings, and look for the fundamental principles behind physical theories.—
Matt von Hippel,
Quanta Magazine,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illustrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustrate. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
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