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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
3
as in explains
to make plain or understandable
the recent devastating fire illustrates the need for improved safety codes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of illustrates
Gatsby simply couldn’t have existed without Long Island, and the prominence of the novel’s location was noted from the day of publication, as Anne Margaret Daniel illustrates in her article on the author and his relationship with the New Yorker magazine.
—
JSTOR Daily, 18 Oct. 2025
The footage illustrates the easy trust and solidarity among the various parents, who appeared to have a tacit agreement that the neighborhood more or less belonged to the kids.
—Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2025
As its name illustrates, Salt Lake City exists because of the Great Salt Lake.
—Big Think, 17 Oct. 2025
Bad Bunny’s selection for the Super Bowl halftime show illustrates this paradox.
—Ediberto Román, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2025
While technical hurdles remain, including heat-shield reliability, orbital docking, and rapid turnaround between flights, SpaceX’s progress illustrates how iterative engineering and reusable design can accelerate advancement.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2025
The book illustrates overthinking in a way that might make sense to a kid—a messy swirl of ideas and images that are difficult to piece together.
—Sara Rowe Mount, Parents, 15 Oct. 2025
This over-the-top hyperbole from both men illustrates just how poorly conversations to save the Colorado River are going behind closed doors.
—The Denver Post Editorial Board, Denver Post, 13 Oct. 2025
Underscore those last three words — in the West — because the Grizzlies’ example illustrates a key truth about the difference between the East and West, one that possibly helps maintain the near-continuous chasm in strength between the two conferences.
—John Hollinger, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
JSTOR Daily, 18 Oct. 2025
The footage illustrates the easy trust and solidarity among the various parents, who appeared to have a tacit agreement that the neighborhood more or less belonged to the kids.
—Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2025
As its name illustrates, Salt Lake City exists because of the Great Salt Lake.
—Big Think, 17 Oct. 2025
Bad Bunny’s selection for the Super Bowl halftime show illustrates this paradox.
—Ediberto Román, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2025
While technical hurdles remain, including heat-shield reliability, orbital docking, and rapid turnaround between flights, SpaceX’s progress illustrates how iterative engineering and reusable design can accelerate advancement.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2025
The book illustrates overthinking in a way that might make sense to a kid—a messy swirl of ideas and images that are difficult to piece together.
—Sara Rowe Mount, Parents, 15 Oct. 2025
This over-the-top hyperbole from both men illustrates just how poorly conversations to save the Colorado River are going behind closed doors.
—The Denver Post Editorial Board, Denver Post, 13 Oct. 2025
Underscore those last three words — in the West — because the Grizzlies’ example illustrates a key truth about the difference between the East and West, one that possibly helps maintain the near-continuous chasm in strength between the two conferences.
—John Hollinger, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrates
Verb
-
The scene demonstrates Courtney’s capacious approach to metaphor.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Oct. 2025
-
The Sierra Club’s report demonstrates that state and federal desires to keep the coal industry afloat is reflected in local utility decision making.—
Sophie Hartley,
IndyStar,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Lipan Point is especially beautiful at sunrise and sunset, when golden light illuminates the canyon walls.—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Oct. 2025
-
To reach that destination, trust is the North Star—one that illuminates how gen AI will make organizations, and their people, more successful.—
Erik Roth,
Fortune,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The below-ground theme park, as historian Ashleigh Androsoff explains, offers tours purporting to tell two local stories.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Star Andrew Garfield explains why the characters make things worse for themselves.—
Gerrad Hall,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The prose in this quiet, forceful epic exemplifies Kincaid’s trademark sharpness.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
16 Oct. 2025
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Viewers will have the chance to vote in an online poll for the Finalist whose accomplishment, impact and story best exemplifies a CNN Hero.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Proposition 411 clarifies the city manager’s role.—
Maritza Dominguez,
AZCentral.com,
4 Oct. 2025
-
The script never changed, Cregger clarifies.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illustrates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustrates. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
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