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as in example
one of a group or collection that shows what the whole is like chose one essay as an illustration of the high quality of the collection

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word illustration distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of illustration are case, example, instance, sample, and specimen. While all these words mean "something that exhibits distinguishing characteristics in its category," illustration applies to an instance offered as a means of clarifying or illuminating a general statement.

a telling illustration of Murphy's Law

Where would case be a reasonable alternative to illustration?

The meanings of case and illustration largely overlap; however, case is used to direct attention to a real or assumed occurrence or situation that is to be considered, studied, or dealt with.

a case of mistaken identity

When could example be used to replace illustration?

In some situations, the words example and illustration are roughly equivalent. However, example applies to a typical, representative, or illustrative instance or case.

a typical example of bureaucratic waste

When would instance be a good substitute for illustration?

While the synonyms instance and illustration are close in meaning, instance applies to any individual person, act, or thing that may be offered to illustrate or explain.

an instance of history repeating itself

In what contexts can sample take the place of illustration?

The words sample and illustration can be used in similar contexts, but sample implies a part or unit taken at random from a larger whole and so presumed to be typical of its qualities.

show us a sample of your work

When might specimen be a better fit than illustration?

While in some cases nearly identical to illustration, specimen applies to any example or sample whether representative or merely existent and available.

one of the finest specimens of the jeweler's art

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of illustration In 1896, Huestis’s career took off as her commercial illustrations began appearing in prominent magazines and, along with her colleague Ami Mali Hicks, winning accolades. Anne Halsey, JSTOR Daily, 6 Aug. 2025 And Cronenworth, whose two-run homer in the fourth inning started the Padres’ scoring, might be the best illustration of that length. Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Aug. 2025 The screen shows an illustration of an attractive young blonde woman lounging on a couch. Salvador Rodriguez, CNBC, 1 Aug. 2025 The coach points to Jaleel McLaughlin’s rookie season in 2023 as an illustration. Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 31 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for illustration
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustration
Noun
  • Gemini’s multimodal engine natively handles short video clips, diagrams, and complex visual reasoning, and demonstrates deep contextual understanding.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2025
  • Andersson showed a simple circuit diagram for a modified charger that would be immune to the overheating problem reported here, and urged EV manufacturers to embrace it.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 8 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Why Gartner’s Stock Fell 28% Gartner’s stock fell sharply because the company significantly lowered its growth forecast for the core Insights business line and failed to offer a compelling explanation for why and what Gartner would do to revive its double digit growth.
    Peter Cohan, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025
  • Without any explanation, the Supreme Court cleared the way for the Trump Administration to begin dismantling a cabinet agency, created by Congress, that is tasked with fulfilling the federal government’s obligation to support public education.
    Andrea Campbell, Time, 6 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Few tourists, and fewer locals, would recognize the nightmarish place in Trump’s depiction.
    Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2025
  • Bringing that role to life was Jack Black, who admitted the film’s depiction of diva actors has a ring of truth.
    Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 16 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • American Airlines, for example, is working with the FAA to develop more fuel efficient routes for its flights.
    Zach Wichter, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2025
  • For example, Instacart could boost its market share by reducing free delivery thresholds to bring in new customers, Ma said.
    Brian Evans, CNBC, 17 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • This could involve tutoring younger students, selling handmade crafts online, offering social media management services for local businesses, or creating digital products such as custom graphics.
    Sarah Hernholm, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
  • National Hurricane Center's graphic shows the path of Hurricane Henriette.
    Hannah Parry Amanda Castro Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Highest 2 Lowest — which is a modern-day interpretation of iconic director Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 crime thriller High and Low — is opening in 300 theaters in what appears to be more of a run to qualify for awards season.
    Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
  • These new interpretations trim the excess, leaving only the scores intact.
    Scottie Andrew, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • In the real world, a user creating an image with a watermarked AI image-generator wouldn’t receive two images—one with watermark, and one without—for comparison.
    IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Keeping the moon in the background of an image with another subject is often much more powerful than an image of just the moon.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Known for her genre-bending sound, fierce lyricism, and high-concept visuals, Doechii is bringing her electrifying stage presence to cities across the U.S. and Canada, with stops in Toronto, Boston, D.C., Atlanta, Houston, Phoenix, and more.
    Okla Jones, Essence, 4 Aug. 2025
  • However, his most recent tribute - which featured AI visuals of Osbourne posing with late musicians such as Michael Jackson, Prince, Tina Turner, Bob Marley, Freddie Mercury, Kurt Cobain, George Michael and Amy Winehouse - has sparked a debate among fans.
    Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Illustration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustration. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on illustration

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