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
The phenomenon illustrates how misinformation can multiply after a viral moment, spreading what can seem to be harmless narratives that are made harder to verify in the age of AI.
—
Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
As my diagnostic experience illustrates, many of us are told that memory changes are normal aging and that pushing for answers is unnecessary.
—Shon Lowe, Twin Cities, 26 Mar. 2026
The Iran crisis illustrates all four dynamics at once.
—Derek Chollet, semafor.com, 25 Mar. 2026
While the fine is a tiny fraction of Meta’s $201 billion revenue in 2025, the verdict illustrates a growing shift in the public’s perception of social media companies and their responsibilities in keeping young people safe on their platforms.
—Barbara Ortutay, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2026
Hudnut’s story illustrates this opportunity cost.
—Sudhir Gupta, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2026
Coyle's capture so soon after Corbett's release illustrates the ongoing risks faced by Americans in Afghanistan, even those with long-standing legal status and deep ties to local communities.
—Stephen Smith, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
The 2020 killing of Qassem Soleimani illustrates how intelligence, surveillance, and precision strikes converge.
—The Ai Insider, Interesting Engineering, 23 Mar. 2026
Conor Healy, director of research at surveillance research publication IPVM, said Khamenei’s killing illustrates a pressing security dilemma for governments seeking to quash dissent.
—ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026
Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
As my diagnostic experience illustrates, many of us are told that memory changes are normal aging and that pushing for answers is unnecessary.
—Shon Lowe, Twin Cities, 26 Mar. 2026
The Iran crisis illustrates all four dynamics at once.
—Derek Chollet, semafor.com, 25 Mar. 2026
While the fine is a tiny fraction of Meta’s $201 billion revenue in 2025, the verdict illustrates a growing shift in the public’s perception of social media companies and their responsibilities in keeping young people safe on their platforms.
—Barbara Ortutay, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2026
Hudnut’s story illustrates this opportunity cost.
—Sudhir Gupta, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2026
Coyle's capture so soon after Corbett's release illustrates the ongoing risks faced by Americans in Afghanistan, even those with long-standing legal status and deep ties to local communities.
—Stephen Smith, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
The 2020 killing of Qassem Soleimani illustrates how intelligence, surveillance, and precision strikes converge.
—The Ai Insider, Interesting Engineering, 23 Mar. 2026
Conor Healy, director of research at surveillance research publication IPVM, said Khamenei’s killing illustrates a pressing security dilemma for governments seeking to quash dissent.
—ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrates
Verb
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Their willingness to adapt demonstrates forward-thinking leadership from BORA.—
Ian Cohen,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Mar. 2026
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Simpson’s paradox demonstrates how counterintuitive statistics can be This article is from Proof Positive, our friendly newsletter that explores the joys and peculiarities of math.—
Manon Bischoff,
Scientific American,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The result is a sandwich that illuminates, a sandwich that delights, a sandwich that redefines the Italian combo as a structure, a set of relationships, a formula that admits many solutions.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2026
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And perhaps this whole saga illuminates another reason why voters prefer to make young hunks wait until their late 30s, as Jordan did, to get their Oscar — to teach them humility.—
Nate Jones,
Vulture,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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That distinction naturally explains why Saturn's rings are composed almost entirely of water ice, with very little rock, the study notes.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
27 Mar. 2026
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Fig, meanwhile, has drunk the Kool-Aid entirely, Shipp explains.—
Kennedy French,
Variety,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This 1998 mountain home in Bachelor Gulch Village exemplifies hygge, the Danish and Norwegian concept of coziness.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
23 Mar. 2026
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Perhaps no group exemplifies the genre’s success more than BTS, the massively popular boy band that commands an expansive base of fans.—
Mitchell McCluskey,
CNN Money,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Trimmer understands that a strategic delay is not procrastination, but a patient wait until the situation clarifies itself.—
David Brooks,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
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The plan approved Tuesday clarifies that the school board can consider two renamings in one year, up from the previous guidance of limiting renamings to one per year, Bagula said.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illustrates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustrates. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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