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

This illustrates how far the Eagles have come at the position under Fangio. — Zach Berman, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026

The story of sardines feeding Japan’s war machine illustrates the convergence of technology, environment and imperialism. — Pei-Hsu Lin, The Conversation, 14 Aug. 2026

MasterBrand Cabinets’ deep green- black Lush Forest finish illustrates the shift toward more layered spaces with rich colors and furniture finishes. — Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Aug. 2026

One of Schore's simplest techniques illustrates how quickly emotional reactions can redirect attention. — Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026

The George Washington University’s sale of its Virginia campus to Amazon, for example, illustrates the encroachment of AI onto higher education’s doorstep. — Joshua Hong, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2026

The result illustrates a tension for the party’s ascendant left flank. — ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026

One project associated with Cherukuri’s work illustrates an alternative approach. — William Jones, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026

The figure illustrates that China’s strength lies as much in downstream processing as in the resources themselves. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Aug. 2026