Synonyms of illustrates

illustrates

verb

present tense third-person singular of illustrate

1

as in demonstrates

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

• demonstrates
• explains
• exemplifies
• instances
• clarifies
• specifies
• cites
• analyzes
• mentions
• elucidates
• quotes
• expounds
• interprets
• adduces
• explicates
• illuminates
• details
• clears (up)
• simplifies
• construes
• enumerates
• spells out
• lists
• enlightens
• names
• edifies
• breaks down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• obscures
• blurs
• darkens
• clouds
• confuses
• muddies
• puzzles
• beclouds
• perplexes
• fogs

2

as in illuminates

to supplement with pictorial matter for the purpose of explanation or decoration

lavishly illustrated the monograph on Caravaggio with color plates

Synonyms & Similar Words

• illuminates
• visualizes
• pictorializes
• images
• pictures

3

as in explains

to make plain or understandable

the recent devastating fire illustrates the need for improved safety codes

Synonyms & Similar Words

• explains
• demonstrates
• clarifies
• illuminates
• simplifies
• interprets
• elucidates
• explicates
• expounds
• construes
• demystifies
• spells out
• clears (up)
• analyzes
• defines
• specifies
• gets across
• resolves
• solves
• deciphers
• decodes
• unriddles
• unravels
• undoes
• annotates
• disentangles
• untangles
• breaks down
• glosses
• unscrambles
• commentates

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• obscures
• confuses
• clouds
• confounds
• obfuscates
• befogs

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of illustrates

But as this example illustrates, interpreting the benchmark scores can be technically complex, presenting a challenge for companies that want to show off the results to the public in a digestible format. — Emily Forlini, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2026

Bard’s heatmap also illustrates his general reluctance, or inability in Nice’s system, to attack the area. — Beren Cross, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

As a shocking chart by the Wall Street Journal illustrates, the amount of capital spent on non-data center construction in the US has quite literally fallen off a cliff, while the capital deployed to build data centers soars into the stratosphere. — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 3 Sep. 2026

The application illustrates how intelligent multi-agent systems may support operational efficiency while addressing regulatory and compliance requirements. — Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026

The connection also illustrates why Edwards believes contemporary hip-hop belongs in a district best known for the jazz musicians who made 18th & Vine internationally significant during the 20th century. — Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026

The disaster illustrates the growing peril of living in mountain regions like the Himalayas as the planet continues to warm due to climate pollution from human activities. — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026

The episode illustrates a less visible part of keeping older military aircraft flying. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026

That, Manuel says, illustrates the class divide that has been so ingrained in the Philippines. — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026