Thesaurus results for ILLUSTRATION

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

illustration

noun

ˌi-lə-ˈstrā-shən

Definition of illustration

as in diagram

something that visually explains or decorates a text this book on birds has gorgeous illustrations

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in explanation

a statement that makes something clear forced to give several illustrations until she was understood

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in depiction

a two-dimensional design intended to look like a person or thing the doctor sketched an illustration to explain the procedure to the patient

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 The department also confirmed that images accompanying the FBI triangular-object report were illustrations rather than photographs of the object itself. — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 1 Nov. 2026 Kraft Heinz is a clear illustration of the same blind spot, because in this case the numbers themselves became the evidence. — Amer Al Ahbabi, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026 Codex Gigas, medieval illuminated manuscript known for its full-page illustration of the Devil opposite a full-page illustration of heavenly Jerusalem. — Laura Payne, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026 THR‘s other noms span the breadth of categories from cover art to photos to investigative stories to illustrations. — Kimberly Nordyke, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for illustration

Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustration

Noun

Connect a diagram to Excel, SQL Server, or another database, and the visual updates as the underlying data changes.

— StackCommerce Team, PC Magazine, 3 Nov. 2026
One reading of Untitled is as a diagram of how desire shapes our perception of one another and of ourselves.

— Shanti Escalante-De Mattei, ARTnews.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of diagram

Noun

The results offer another explanation for the sustainability value-behavior gap, the disconnect between consumers’ environmental priorities and their purchasing decisions.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 5 Nov. 2026
In truth, while these factors all play a part in shaping policy, the real explanation is far simpler.

— Oliver Melton, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of explanation

Noun

The result is a hilarious, all-too-real depiction of the existential angst that has come to plague Gen Z-ers across the globe.

— Ellise Shafer, Variety, 6 Nov. 2026
Representations of fauna include horses, deer, wild oxen, and at least one bear, though identification is difficult due to the limited depiction of details such as eyes, nostrils, hooves, manes, and coats.

— News Desk, Artforum, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of depiction

Noun

Implementations can use thin silicon nanosheets or nanoribbons stacked vertically, with Intel’s RibbonFET providing one example.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026
This was just one example that created plenty of confusion for viewers at home, while the home Missouri crowd was left stunned.

— Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of example

Noun

The remastered game has been completely re-created, with slick Switch 2 graphics, modern controls for movement and camera, numerous quality-of-life improvements, and more.

— Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 2 Nov. 2026
In April came a new visual identity, notably with an evolution of its logo and nods to its archives including René Lacoste’s handwriting and graphics in line with the work of Robert George, the illustrator behind the first crocodile sketch.

— Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of graphic

Noun

Concurrent with these updates, ZDHC published a PFAS position paper and practical interpretations, which reinforces the organization’s position against the intentional use of the substances in the textile, apparel, leather and footwear supply chain.

— Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 2 Nov. 2026
Given some of the uncertainty that can result as social media discussions make spot interpretations of data, producers expect to use new graphics and standards to make races easier to understand.

— Brian Steinberg, Variety, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of interpretation

Noun

Unlike conventional sonar approaches that rely on lower-resolution acoustic images, synthetic aperture sonar combines multiple acoustic measurements collected as the sensor moves through the water.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 2 Nov. 2026
The image was manipulated by artificial intelligence and posted by a Colombian artist, according to Brazilian fact-checking outlet Agência Lupa.

— Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of image

Noun

Julia Levine is a visuals fellow with the Connecticut Mirror.

— Sarah Gordon, Hartford Courant, 3 Nov. 2026
The anchors might spotlight a specific viewer’s home county or state, and the visuals make the process of distilling numbers, percentages and exit polls much easier.

— Brian Steinberg, Variety, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of visual

Browse Nearby Words

illustrating

illustration

illustrational

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Illustration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustration. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of illustration

noun

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Example Sentences

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