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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of illustrates
The invitation of private equity illustrates the cash challenge that most of the universities that participate in the highest level of major NCAA athletics are juggling like a litter of hungry dogs.
—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 May 2026
The best true-crime writing always illustrates how a particular place and social environment made that crime possible.
—Literary Hub, 7 May 2026
Tracing recent ones illustrates their pitching’s tenuous state.
—Matt Kawahara, Houston Chronicle, 7 May 2026
David Weinberg, chief operating officer at Skechers, said in a statement that partnering with the WNBA illustrates the footwear company’s long-term commitment to promoting women’s basketball and elevating the athletes who are enthusiastic about the game at every level.
—Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 6 May 2026
And research illustrates that agents can be easily tricked into bad behavior, such as overcorrecting when told not to do something, being persuaded by human appeals to urgency and simple manipulation tricks.
—Nigel Melville, The Conversation, 6 May 2026
That finding, from a new survey, illustrates a perennial gap between expectations and reality for American retirees.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 4 May 2026
But the Longwood bear’s girth illustrates both the natural world’s resilience and its degradation.
—Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 May 2026
Brazilian nonprofit NoHarm’s prescription-review tool, deployed across 200+ hospitals and screening millions of prescriptions monthly, illustrates both the value at stake and the scale at which a single failure mode would harm patients.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 2 May 2026
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 May 2026
The best true-crime writing always illustrates how a particular place and social environment made that crime possible.
—Literary Hub, 7 May 2026
Tracing recent ones illustrates their pitching’s tenuous state.
—Matt Kawahara, Houston Chronicle, 7 May 2026
David Weinberg, chief operating officer at Skechers, said in a statement that partnering with the WNBA illustrates the footwear company’s long-term commitment to promoting women’s basketball and elevating the athletes who are enthusiastic about the game at every level.
—Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 6 May 2026
And research illustrates that agents can be easily tricked into bad behavior, such as overcorrecting when told not to do something, being persuaded by human appeals to urgency and simple manipulation tricks.
—Nigel Melville, The Conversation, 6 May 2026
That finding, from a new survey, illustrates a perennial gap between expectations and reality for American retirees.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 4 May 2026
But the Longwood bear’s girth illustrates both the natural world’s resilience and its degradation.
—Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 May 2026
Brazilian nonprofit NoHarm’s prescription-review tool, deployed across 200+ hospitals and screening millions of prescriptions monthly, illustrates both the value at stake and the scale at which a single failure mode would harm patients.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 2 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrates
Verb
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Trump has argued that last weekend’s shooting at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner demonstrates why the ballroom is needed to hold safe, secure events for the president and other officials.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
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The initiative not only strengthens Australia’s defence posture but also demonstrates the growing importance of advanced land systems in addressing the security challenges of the future.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
His struggle no longer illuminates much of anything.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
5 May 2026
-
At the same time, faint light reflected from Earth softly illuminates the Moon, revealing mountains and craters in a dim twilight.—
Deana L. Weibel,
The Conversation,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Aubrey explains that discussing difficult topics openly has become a central part of the podcast’s purpose, particularly when those topics are often avoided in everyday conversation.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
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Advertisement Travers explains that this has consequences for the whole of British politics, as its parliamentary system is not designed to host a wide range of parties.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
8 May 2026
Verb
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The award is given to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey by the Professional Hockey Writers Association.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
4 May 2026
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Each year, teachers and counselors from the high schools are invited to select one student who exemplifies such accomplishments.—
Sharon Hlapcich,
Oc Register,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The new rule clarifies that for songs submitted as the first new music cue once the end credits begin, the video clip must include the last 15 seconds of the film before the credits begin.—
Marcus Jones,
IndieWire,
1 May 2026
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The attorney then clarifies if his testimony is that Randklev went through the training, but had not read any part of the act.—
Fousia Abdullahi,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illustrates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustrates. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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