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
European officials had welcomed Ukraine's unilateral move as a goodwill gesture illustrating its readiness for a peace settlement.
—
ABC News, 6 May 2026
Touching the Art also delves into erasure and gaslighting, illustrating the all-too-common silencing that occurs when a family member speaks up about violence or abuse.
—Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
The original design plans for the Resolute Desk are kept by the National Maritime Museum in London, illustrating the vision for the President's Desk.
—Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
Yelverton’s PowerPoint presentation included all sorts of big numbers and bullet points illustrating what an incredible run of deals their investments in the stadium has been for the city.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Apr. 2026
Adapted from Antonio Scurati’s novel, the series delves into the darker aspects of Mussolini’s character, illustrating how his toxic masculinity and exploitation of fear led to his ascent, while inviting viewers to reflect on the broader implications of his story in today’s political landscape.
—Brande Victorian, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026
In it, ink markings peppered her features, illustrating exactly where a surgeon would soon cut her skin open.
—Rheana Murray, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2026
Several massive, multi-gigawatt data center gas projects have been announced in the weeks since the research was released, illustrating just how quick the race to build out data center power has become.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 22 Apr. 2026
For the purposes of illustrating how game theory can be applied, let’s consider a scenario where two players are, say, playing chess.
—Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 19 Apr. 2026
ABC News, 6 May 2026
Touching the Art also delves into erasure and gaslighting, illustrating the all-too-common silencing that occurs when a family member speaks up about violence or abuse.
—Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
The original design plans for the Resolute Desk are kept by the National Maritime Museum in London, illustrating the vision for the President's Desk.
—Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
Yelverton’s PowerPoint presentation included all sorts of big numbers and bullet points illustrating what an incredible run of deals their investments in the stadium has been for the city.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Apr. 2026
Adapted from Antonio Scurati’s novel, the series delves into the darker aspects of Mussolini’s character, illustrating how his toxic masculinity and exploitation of fear led to his ascent, while inviting viewers to reflect on the broader implications of his story in today’s political landscape.
—Brande Victorian, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026
In it, ink markings peppered her features, illustrating exactly where a surgeon would soon cut her skin open.
—Rheana Murray, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2026
Several massive, multi-gigawatt data center gas projects have been announced in the weeks since the research was released, illustrating just how quick the race to build out data center power has become.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 22 Apr. 2026
For the purposes of illustrating how game theory can be applied, let’s consider a scenario where two players are, say, playing chess.
—Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 19 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrating
Verb
-
Federal prosecutors said while many people were peacefully demonstrating against immigration enforcement operations in Los Angeles County last summer, some people sought to use violence to obstruct, impede or injure officers conducting the enforcement operations.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
-
Facing this new urgency, NASA officials are eager to transition from demonstrating reliable lunar landers to delivering tangible infrastructure to the Moon’s surface.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
These current findings clarify the relationship between the brain and physical movement, illuminating fundamental mechanics that can apply to other research, said Michael Goard, an associate professor at UC Santa Barbara who studies sensory and spatial processing.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
-
Westport’s production was quite similar to Hartford’s, but the differences are illuminating.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Gianni Infantino tried to defend FIFA’s World Cup ticket prices by explaining American sports to Americans.—
Dan Zaksheske OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
6 May 2026
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Berry later apologized by email to Crocker, Cal-OSHA’s Sacramento District Manager, explaining that an arson and bomb investigator for Cal Fire, Gershom Slonim, had told Voller not to grant the interview.—
Joe Rubin,
Sacbee.com,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
In January, the FCC published guidelines clarifying how the equal time rule is enforced.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
8 May 2026
-
Certain shampoos, like clarifying and non-moisturizing ones, are meant to be used once per week, while others can be used two to three times a week, depending on your hair and scalp.—
Aimee Simeon,
Glamour,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illustrating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustrating. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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