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

Listen displays album artwork and playback information, while Climate illustrates cabin airflow and seat temperature. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026

The record illustrates how artists can combine music, video content, and direct engagement with listeners. — Kaitlyn Gomez, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026

The expansion illustrates how international companies are looking beyond China for new customers while using their existing Chinese manufacturing operations to serve neighboring markets. — Jenny Lee,evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026

The partnership illustrates how technology companies are increasingly looking to music and culture to give their products an identity beyond their technical capabilities. — Christopher Claxton, Billboard, 23 Oct. 2026

The PHP2Shell discovery illustrates a new reality for cybersecurity. — Doug Jacobson, The Conversation, 23 Oct. 2026

That restriction starkly illustrates the challenges that continue to bedevil the movement to put value at the center of health care policy. — Dana P. Goldman, STAT, 22 Oct. 2026

That kind of attachment illustrates something about modern business. — Chris Hardesty, AJC.com, 16 Oct. 2026

The incident illustrates the failures of trust and safety provisions that are supposed to protect against this kind of confusion. — Mia Sato, The Verge, 15 Oct. 2026