illustrate

1 to show or make clear by using examples she illustrated her point with a story about her experiences as a field anthropologist Synonyms demonstrate, exemplify, instance Related Words adduce, cite, mention, quote; name, specify; analyze, break down; clarify, clear (up), explain, explicate, expound; edify, elucidate, enlighten; illuminate; construe, interpret; simplify, spell out; detail, enumerate, list Near Antonyms becloud, blur, cloud, darken, fog, muddy, obscure; confuse, perplex, puzzle

2 to supplement with pictorial matter for the purpose of explanation or decoration lavishly illustrated the monograph on Caravaggio with color plates Synonyms illuminate, pictorialize Related Words image, picture, visualize

3 to make plain or understandable the recent devastating fire illustrates the need for improved safety codes Synonyms clarify, clear (up), construe, demonstrate, demystify, elucidate, explicate, expound, get across, illuminate, explain, interpret, simplify, spell out, unriddleRelated Words decipher, decode; analyze, break down; disentangle, undo, unravel, unscramble, untangle; resolve, solve; define, specify; annotate, commentate, glossNear Antonyms befog, cloud; confound, confuse, obfuscateAntonyms obscure