1
as in demonstrating
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 illuminating
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 explaining
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 illustrating
States passed 90 policies bolstering high school career and technical education in 2024, illustrating its increasing political support.
—
Miranda Dunlap, jsonline.com, 6 Mar. 2026
Other nights, third-year forward Brandon Miller continues illustrating why Charlotte drafted him second in 2024.
—James Jackson, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
When authorities raided and destroyed parts of KK Park, operators had already moved their operations elsewhere, illustrating the adaptability and mobility of the scam networks.
—Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 4 Mar. 2026
An evaporator will be fired up onsite, illustrating the transformation from sap to syrup, organizers said.
—Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
However, the near quarter-point decline in mortgage rates this year has yet to inspire buyers, illustrating a housing market still struggling to gather momentum.
—Bloomberg, Oc Register, 25 Feb. 2026
That's where the rate has consistently sat in recent weeks, illustrating the stability in the mortgage rate environment currently.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2026
Yet Paramount and Disney have both sent cease-and-desist letters to TikTok owner and AI company ByteDance over intellectual property Infringement by AI platforms and services in the last few weeks, illustrating the industry’s ebb and flow with the fast-changing technology.
—William Earl, Variety, 19 Feb. 2026
The first issue of Odin will feature variant covers by comic and album artist Alex Eckman-Lawn (Swan Songs), who is illustrating the main Cover A for the full series.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 19 Feb. 2026
Miranda Dunlap, jsonline.com, 6 Mar. 2026
Other nights, third-year forward Brandon Miller continues illustrating why Charlotte drafted him second in 2024.
—James Jackson, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
When authorities raided and destroyed parts of KK Park, operators had already moved their operations elsewhere, illustrating the adaptability and mobility of the scam networks.
—Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 4 Mar. 2026
An evaporator will be fired up onsite, illustrating the transformation from sap to syrup, organizers said.
—Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
However, the near quarter-point decline in mortgage rates this year has yet to inspire buyers, illustrating a housing market still struggling to gather momentum.
—Bloomberg, Oc Register, 25 Feb. 2026
That's where the rate has consistently sat in recent weeks, illustrating the stability in the mortgage rate environment currently.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2026
Yet Paramount and Disney have both sent cease-and-desist letters to TikTok owner and AI company ByteDance over intellectual property Infringement by AI platforms and services in the last few weeks, illustrating the industry’s ebb and flow with the fast-changing technology.
—William Earl, Variety, 19 Feb. 2026
The first issue of Odin will feature variant covers by comic and album artist Alex Eckman-Lawn (Swan Songs), who is illustrating the main Cover A for the full series.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 19 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrating
Verb
-
The system has progressed through multiple stages of technical evaluation and validation, demonstrating its potential for operational use in counter-UAV missions.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Results from a handful of studies were middling — and then the largest study demonstrating its efficacy was retracted in January.—
O. Rose Broderick,
STAT,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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It's also equipped with a self-illuminating hose reel that can provide a light source in dark conditions and also help guide firefighters to safety or to an injured person.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Titled ClairObscur, it was dedicated to illuminating forms of character through the exploration of shadows, in part inspired by the dramatic tenebrism of Caravaggio.—
Luke Leitch,
Vogue,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Gassert disagreed with Dominguez’s decision to kick Oliveros out of the house, explaining that an agent’s morality shouldn’t be conditional.—
Tyler Carmona,
Miami Herald,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Now, the Connecticut state legislature is moving to control the curriculum of all schools in the state without explaining why politicians know better than parents how to educate their children.—
Nicholas Tampio,
Hartford Courant,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Buy time by clarifying When you're caught off guard, asking a question in return can be a powerful move.—
Melody Wilding,
CNBC,
3 Mar. 2026
-
When user requests are ambiguous, rather than simply assuming one specific interpretation, systems now often ask a clarifying question to reduce the risk of creating frustration or making mistakes.—
Frédéric Dalsace,
Harvard Business Review,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illustrating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustrating. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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