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 Liability Has Moved To You Holland & Knight’s review of the decision on downstream risk illustrates how the use of these tools could become tangible.
—
Terdawn Deboe, Forbes.com, 11 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
The visit illustrates his balancing act of upholding centuries-old religious traditions in a country where faith is waning while reaching a global audience from a basilica that is more a magnet for tourists than believers.
—ABC News, 9 June 2026
That comment illustrates the difficult landscape for the NCAA, which has lost multiple court cases challenging rules that were put in place by the very schools that make up its membership.
—Stephen Hawkins, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2026
His story illustrates what can happen when individuals are connected to the resources, support, and opportunities needed to move forward.
—Beth Hines, Hartford Courant, 4 June 2026
The quick video illustrates how the various Captain's Crunch implements unfurl and swap components.
—New Atlas, 4 June 2026
The warning illustrates continued concern about Chinese spying among the US and its allies despite efforts by the countries to improve ties with Beijing in recent months.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 4 June 2026
The raise for Surtain also illustrates the options the Broncos had in mind while building up considerable cap space entering the summer.
—Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 2 June 2026
Terdawn Deboe, Forbes.com, 11 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
The visit illustrates his balancing act of upholding centuries-old religious traditions in a country where faith is waning while reaching a global audience from a basilica that is more a magnet for tourists than believers.
—ABC News, 9 June 2026
That comment illustrates the difficult landscape for the NCAA, which has lost multiple court cases challenging rules that were put in place by the very schools that make up its membership.
—Stephen Hawkins, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2026
His story illustrates what can happen when individuals are connected to the resources, support, and opportunities needed to move forward.
—Beth Hines, Hartford Courant, 4 June 2026
The quick video illustrates how the various Captain's Crunch implements unfurl and swap components.
—New Atlas, 4 June 2026
The warning illustrates continued concern about Chinese spying among the US and its allies despite efforts by the countries to improve ties with Beijing in recent months.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 4 June 2026
The raise for Surtain also illustrates the options the Broncos had in mind while building up considerable cap space entering the summer.
—Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 2 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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Venus shines to the right in the image, surrounded by a diffuse haze as the sunlight reflected off its surface illuminates a wisp of cloud during its passage through Earth's atmosphere.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
9 June 2026
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In fact, each illuminates the other, creating an imaginative portrait of this town.—
Via Catapult,
Literary Hub,
5 June 2026
Verb
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But as Cost of Denial explains, there’s a process that families can use to attempt to get previously denied care covered.—
Cara Lynn Shultz,
PEOPLE,
11 Dec. 2025
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The Game 3 buzzer beater finally gave her that moment, Wilson explains.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
10 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Sarah Michelle Gellar’s running gag as the celebrity everyone’s too self-absorbed to recognize, for example, exemplifies the film’s willingness to hold nothing sacred, with the actors invited to follow suit.—
Todd Gilchrist,
Variety,
10 June 2026
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The archive is a mortuary, and the literal presence of bones exemplifies the violence of such repositories.—
Emily Watlington,
ARTnews.com,
10 June 2026
Verb
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The legislation clarifies the definition of data centers and allows the state Department of Environmental Quality to set the standards for data centers’ water usage, NC Newsline reported.—
Mary Ramsey
Updated June 8,
Charlotte Observer,
9 June 2026
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Strongly supported by the American Society of Transplant Surgeons, the act also clarifies that organ donation qualifies under the Family and Medical Leave Act, giving donors protected employment status during recovery.—
Gabriel Schnickel,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illustrates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustrates. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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