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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of illustrating
Far more than an after-party, the evening served as a cultural marker, illustrating how Black talent is not just participating in NYFW but actively shaping its future across fashion, beauty, and media.
—
Corein Carter, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
While the details of the case are particular to one individual, experts say the outcome is far too common, illustrating the need for greater vigilance of, and advocacy around, a threat that kills a person every six minutes, according to the National Blood Clot Alliance.
—Paul Sisson, Mercury News, 8 Sep. 2025
While the details of the case are particular to one individual, experts say the outcome is far too common, illustrating the need for greater vigilance of, and advocacy around, a threat that kills a person every six minutes, according to the National Blood Clot Alliance.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2025
That's why, for example, the US government has funded a series of Landsat satellites since 1972 to create an uninterrupted data catalog illustrating changes in global land use.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 6 Sep. 2025
Prosecutors in this case showed extensive communications between mother and son, illustrating their close relationship and how Donna kept track of things for Charles, who in turn solved all kinds of problems for her.
—Lauren Del Valle, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2025
Dunn pointed out gleaming replicas of these artifacts, on display in the exhibition, alongside surfboards illustrating the evolution of the spot throughout history.
—Chloe Veltman, NPR, 31 Aug. 2025
The performers will be seen sharing some of their most personal songs and the stories behind them in front of a small audience and large, nearly wraparound screens illustrating those tales.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 28 Aug. 2025
The International Shark Attack File (ISAF), maintained by the Florida Museum of Natural History, recorded 71 shark-bite incidents worldwide for the full year 2024, illustrating year-to-year variability in totals and the difference between midyear counts and complete annual statistics.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Aug. 2025
Corein Carter, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
While the details of the case are particular to one individual, experts say the outcome is far too common, illustrating the need for greater vigilance of, and advocacy around, a threat that kills a person every six minutes, according to the National Blood Clot Alliance.
—Paul Sisson, Mercury News, 8 Sep. 2025
While the details of the case are particular to one individual, experts say the outcome is far too common, illustrating the need for greater vigilance of, and advocacy around, a threat that kills a person every six minutes, according to the National Blood Clot Alliance.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2025
That's why, for example, the US government has funded a series of Landsat satellites since 1972 to create an uninterrupted data catalog illustrating changes in global land use.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 6 Sep. 2025
Prosecutors in this case showed extensive communications between mother and son, illustrating their close relationship and how Donna kept track of things for Charles, who in turn solved all kinds of problems for her.
—Lauren Del Valle, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2025
Dunn pointed out gleaming replicas of these artifacts, on display in the exhibition, alongside surfboards illustrating the evolution of the spot throughout history.
—Chloe Veltman, NPR, 31 Aug. 2025
The performers will be seen sharing some of their most personal songs and the stories behind them in front of a small audience and large, nearly wraparound screens illustrating those tales.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 28 Aug. 2025
The International Shark Attack File (ISAF), maintained by the Florida Museum of Natural History, recorded 71 shark-bite incidents worldwide for the full year 2024, illustrating year-to-year variability in totals and the difference between midyear counts and complete annual statistics.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrating
Verb
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At Level 2, this means demonstrating compliance with all 110 controls in NIST 800-171.—
Emil Sayegh,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
While his specialty is agateware, which involves carving into a multi-colored piece to reveal layers of clay, this musician and songwriter also enjoys the showmanship of demonstrating his craft.—
Jennifer Prince,
Southern Living,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Conybeare, a classics scholar, intertwines learned exegesis with examples of Augustine’s human idiosyncrasies, offering illuminating analyses of the philosopher’s seminal texts and ideas—including his theory of original sin—and of the role that his heritage played in his self-conception.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
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Also visible in the picture is a bright green aurora, illuminating the Canadian sky near Edmonton.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Police took Taddese’s phone and vehicle as evidence, which alarmed the family, Bernard said, explaining some of the family’s reservations about the police investigation.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
12 Sep. 2025
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About The Daily Money Each weekday, The Daily Money delivers the best consumer and financial news from USA TODAY, breaking down complex events, providing the TLDR version, and explaining how everything from Fed rate changes to bankruptcies impacts you.—
Betty Lin-Fisher,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Musk directly condemned the posts that appeared to celebrate Kirk’s shooting, in one case clarifying a false claim that a Tesla employee had made one such mocking comment.—
Ashley Lutz,
Fortune,
12 Sep. 2025
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Ask clarifying questions and offer feedback that demonstrates the other person was heard and understood.—
Christopher Kaufman,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illustrating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustrating. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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