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
Radio traffic from early Tuesday evening illustrates how close together a string of shootings occurred along Kansas City highways that left four injured and one dead.
—
Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 18 June 2026
According to Skic, the exhibit illustrates how the Declaration's influence extended far beyond the Revolutionary era and became part of the argument for expanding civil rights to more Americans.
—Josh Sanders, CBS News, 18 June 2026
Woods illustrates Sylvia’s sorrow through flashbacks to her daughter, Nadia (Olivia Edward as a teenager, Emma Farnell-Watson as an adult), who was a ballet dancer.
—Natalia Winkelman, Variety, 16 June 2026
That this hyper-relevant story line is told mostly from a refreshing female perspective illustrates a big reason why this series is still going strong after more than three decades.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 16 June 2026
Recent stories of the teenager shopping at a Walmart in Fort Oglethrope, Georgia, near Spain’s training base without attracting much attention illustrates the gap between soccer fame and broader American celebrity.
—Clemente Lisi, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
The Pittsburgh region illustrates the problem with that thinking.
—Christopher Briem, The Conversation, 12 June 2026
Still, the simple story — written by Jordan Tannahill, who adapted his own book, and directed by Janicza Bravo — illustrates various destructive choices and cruel actions ostensibly driven by love.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 12 June 2026
On the civil side, even one of the greatest examples of professional airmanship in history, US Airways Flight 1549, illustrates the limits of human cognitive bandwidth under extreme pressure.
—Tim Burns, Fortune, 9 June 2026
Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 18 June 2026
According to Skic, the exhibit illustrates how the Declaration's influence extended far beyond the Revolutionary era and became part of the argument for expanding civil rights to more Americans.
—Josh Sanders, CBS News, 18 June 2026
Woods illustrates Sylvia’s sorrow through flashbacks to her daughter, Nadia (Olivia Edward as a teenager, Emma Farnell-Watson as an adult), who was a ballet dancer.
—Natalia Winkelman, Variety, 16 June 2026
That this hyper-relevant story line is told mostly from a refreshing female perspective illustrates a big reason why this series is still going strong after more than three decades.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 16 June 2026
Recent stories of the teenager shopping at a Walmart in Fort Oglethrope, Georgia, near Spain’s training base without attracting much attention illustrates the gap between soccer fame and broader American celebrity.
—Clemente Lisi, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
The Pittsburgh region illustrates the problem with that thinking.
—Christopher Briem, The Conversation, 12 June 2026
Still, the simple story — written by Jordan Tannahill, who adapted his own book, and directed by Janicza Bravo — illustrates various destructive choices and cruel actions ostensibly driven by love.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 12 June 2026
On the civil side, even one of the greatest examples of professional airmanship in history, US Airways Flight 1549, illustrates the limits of human cognitive bandwidth under extreme pressure.
—Tim Burns, Fortune, 9 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrates
Verb
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This case demonstrates that our Office will work with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute those who seek to profit through fraud.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
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For others, the salary cap proposal demonstrates pure greed from owners who are all fabulously wealthy yet perennially crying poor.—
David Faris,
TheWeek,
15 June 2026
Verb
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Math illuminates how traffic flows, how our cells build proteins and even how to speed up medical imaging scans.—
Carolyn Y. Johnson,
Washington Post,
14 June 2026
-
Compact and endlessly charming, Touch of Gold® Holly shines year-round with brilliant golden foliage that illuminates the garden.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
11 June 2026
Verb
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The combination probably explains the excessive growth, turning the water surface an opaque green and preventing onlookers from seeing the new blue hue of the concrete basin.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
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Leus explains that the INXS tune was important to the filmmakers and encapsulated the relationship between Jo and Raissa.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
19 June 2026
Verb
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Subtle, artful, and not overly formal, Wolfsbane exemplifies what makes San Francisco one of America’s premier fine-dining destinations.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
16 June 2026
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And Butler’s new home outside San Diego perhaps best exemplifies this fact.—
Rachel Davies,
Architectural Digest,
12 June 2026
Verb
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This distinction also clarifies where AI should and shouldn't operate.—
David Flower,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
-
Progetto 11 also clarifies that Coperni is controlled by two entities, Coperni UK Limited, which holds the license with Tomorrow, and Coperni SAS, a French operating company that oversees day-to-day operations.—
Joe Bobowicz,
Vogue,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illustrates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustrates. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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