1
as in demonstrated
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 illuminated
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 explained
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 illustrated
The map illustrated a letter by Cortés, currying favor with the Habsburg Emperor Charles the Fifth.
—
Big Think, 1 Apr. 2026
In the interview, Warsh illustrated this with a story from 2006, when he was nominated to the Fed’s Board of Governors and sought advice from former chair Paul Volcker.
—Paul Wachtel, The Conversation, 31 Mar. 2026
The last few weeks have illustrated the volatility of an energy system rooted in oil.
—Killian Duborg, Hartford Courant, 31 Mar. 2026
Saturday, perhaps, illustrated the opposite.
—Matt Kawahara, Houston Chronicle, 29 Mar. 2026
Without the need to worry about such appearances in the midst of a massive M&A deal, the reason Netflix feels confident in ratcheting up prices in its biggest market is illustrated by this chart from Wall Street analyst firm MoffettNathanson.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 27 Mar. 2026
The da Vinci system’s ability to delicately peel and stitch fruit skin illustrated the fine motor control available to surgeons working on human tissue through minimally invasive incisions.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Villa retained the ability to move the ball upfield efficiently, as illustrated by their attacking shape in the image below.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
Romano illustrated the announcement with pics from her child star days — including a pic of her high school graduating class, which also included Scarlett Johansson and Jack Antonoff.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2026
Big Think, 1 Apr. 2026
In the interview, Warsh illustrated this with a story from 2006, when he was nominated to the Fed’s Board of Governors and sought advice from former chair Paul Volcker.
—Paul Wachtel, The Conversation, 31 Mar. 2026
The last few weeks have illustrated the volatility of an energy system rooted in oil.
—Killian Duborg, Hartford Courant, 31 Mar. 2026
Saturday, perhaps, illustrated the opposite.
—Matt Kawahara, Houston Chronicle, 29 Mar. 2026
Without the need to worry about such appearances in the midst of a massive M&A deal, the reason Netflix feels confident in ratcheting up prices in its biggest market is illustrated by this chart from Wall Street analyst firm MoffettNathanson.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 27 Mar. 2026
The da Vinci system’s ability to delicately peel and stitch fruit skin illustrated the fine motor control available to surgeons working on human tissue through minimally invasive incisions.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Villa retained the ability to move the ball upfield efficiently, as illustrated by their attacking shape in the image below.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
Romano illustrated the announcement with pics from her child star days — including a pic of her high school graduating class, which also included Scarlett Johansson and Jack Antonoff.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrated
Verb
-
In a recording of a different non-emergency call demonstrated for USA TODAY, the Aurelian system answered a call from a man reporting his neighbor's barking dogs.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The advent of cheap commercial drone technology changed the equation dramatically, as demonstrated by the Ukrainian military’s adoption of new tactics.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Once stationary, turn off all lights except the hazard flashers, engage the emergency brake, and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights are not illuminated, reducing the risk of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The gray curtains behind him were illuminated by bright blue lights, giving the slightest hint of performance at an otherwise typical medical conference.—
Alexandra Sifferlin,
The Atlantic,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
As data center loans increase, insurers who protect lenders if a borrower doesn’t pay, are starting to hit limits, Wolfson explained.—
April Roach,
CNBC,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Take Tyler Long and Hannah Long, a married couple from Franklinton, who as the train cut through pine trees explained their interest in visiting all the old racetracks — from Martinsville to Bristol to North Wilkesboro to, yes, Rockingham.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Huskies don’t win the game without any of them, including one that exemplified the school’s ultimate winner.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The Northern Cheyenne chief Little Wolf exemplified this resolve in the 1860s and ’70s, leading his people in many different battles to defend the North Country of his ancestors.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Police recently clarified she was last seen wearing a white T-shirt, light blue jeans and white sneakers with a black stripe, updating an earlier description of different clothing.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
6 Apr. 2026
-
However, recent amendments clarified that parks are not automatically considered closed if destroyed by a disaster, and that additional steps are required to terminate tenancy rights.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illustrated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustrated. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
