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
Wisteria is a light, calming shade of purple that feels fitting for illustrating any garden.
—
Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Nov. 2025
The Jayhawks would go onto win 38-21, with that particular drive illustrating the dominance of Kansas’ ground game Saturday.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 1 Nov. 2025
But before the Dragon Ball anime, Toriyama worked on character designs for the Dragon Quest series, illustrating, among dozens of others, the instantly recognizable Slime seen in every entry in the series.
—Rhi Easby, Rolling Stone, 30 Oct. 2025
Additionally, the Mets, who sport the second-highest payroll in baseball, did not even make the playoffs, illustrating that more money does not necessarily guarantee success.
—Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Claudia Leonardi, whose visuals featured on Life is Strange, is illustrating.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2025
The Yore duffel bag was exhibited in its pattern pieces, illustrating the 78 parts and 72 hours of craftsmanship required for each creation.
—Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025
Bryant once scored 50 against Iverson’s Sixers in a regular-season duel, illustrating the mutual challenge between them.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 9 Oct. 2025
Trump’s post included a photo illustrating where the initial withdrawal line would be in relation to major cities like Rafah and Gaza City, as well as the Palestinian refugee camp Bureij.
—Callie Patteson, The Washington Examiner, 4 Oct. 2025
Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Nov. 2025
The Jayhawks would go onto win 38-21, with that particular drive illustrating the dominance of Kansas’ ground game Saturday.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 1 Nov. 2025
But before the Dragon Ball anime, Toriyama worked on character designs for the Dragon Quest series, illustrating, among dozens of others, the instantly recognizable Slime seen in every entry in the series.
—Rhi Easby, Rolling Stone, 30 Oct. 2025
Additionally, the Mets, who sport the second-highest payroll in baseball, did not even make the playoffs, illustrating that more money does not necessarily guarantee success.
—Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Claudia Leonardi, whose visuals featured on Life is Strange, is illustrating.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2025
The Yore duffel bag was exhibited in its pattern pieces, illustrating the 78 parts and 72 hours of craftsmanship required for each creation.
—Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025
Bryant once scored 50 against Iverson’s Sixers in a regular-season duel, illustrating the mutual challenge between them.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 9 Oct. 2025
Trump’s post included a photo illustrating where the initial withdrawal line would be in relation to major cities like Rafah and Gaza City, as well as the Palestinian refugee camp Bureij.
—Callie Patteson, The Washington Examiner, 4 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrating
Verb
-
Tests in both artificial and real human saliva produced the same result, demonstrating that the single-application ELR coating could recreate enamel and withstand real-world impacts.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The probe will then continue toward the main-belt comet 311P/PANSTARRS, demonstrating multi-target capability and testing autonomous navigation, anchoring, and sampling systems essential for future mining missions.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Then on 11/11, the ascension portal cracks open as Jupiter retrogrades in Cancer, illuminating your community and friendship sector.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Adjacent to this space, the dining room offers sweeping mountain and lake views, while the nearby kitchen is a culinary dream, complete with stainless-steel appliances, practical pullout cabinetry, and a skylight illuminating the central island.—
Demetrius Simms,
Robb Report,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The leader of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), an organization that fights antisemitism, is explaining his group's decision to set up a special project to monitor Zohran Mamdani, the mayor-elect of New York City.—
NPR,
NPR,
7 Nov. 2025
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Ukraine knows about the value of culture as soft power and spends a lot of money explaining to the world what’s going on in their country.—
Annika Pham,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
In addition to its cover-up capabilities, the formula is enriched with nourishing ingredients such as allantoin, bakuchiol, and niacinamide that actually target dark spots and, with time (and regular wear), can brighten them while clarifying the complexion.—
Jessie Quinn,
StyleCaster,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Modern shutdowns date back to 1980, when the attorney general issued legal guidance clarifying that agencies could not spend without congressional approval.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illustrating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustrating. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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