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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 For drawing and illustration, the Asus ProArt PZ13 makes the list for its 21-hour battery life and the Creator Hub feature for high-quality, colorful displays. Gene Marks, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025 The interiors are styled in beige, sage green, and yellow, and feature botanical accents, along with cushion covers and illustrations by local artist Lisa Strachan. Heather Richardson, Travel + Leisure, 6 Sep. 2025 There are thick gold curtains, a plush white sofa, a potted palm and ivy (both fake), and a pair of wicker chairs, topped with jaunty illustrations of fictional lovers Jack and Rose. Laura Bannister, Curbed, 5 Sep. 2025 For a good illustration of why, look at Palantir, which had its annual AI conference on Thursday. Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 5 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for illustration
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustration
Noun
  • The way to avoid these limitations isn’t to abandon quantum field theory, but rather to go beyond the perturbative approach of Feynman diagrams, and to perform the full analytic calculations demanded by the underlying quantum field theory.
    Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Work with over 250,000 shapes, link diagrams to live data from Excel or Microsoft Entra ID, and generate org charts automatically.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Study co-author Benjamin Proudfoot, an astronomer at the University of Central Florida, also thinks that a newfound satellite is the most likely explanation.
    Nola Taylor Tillman, Space.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The materialist, physiological explanation for the phenomenon of panic generates a bright contrast with the philosophical and metaphysical inquiries that have Nicholas, and Clune, in their grip.
    Scott Stossel, The Atlantic, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The effect is far more visceral and connected to nature than a depiction of a typical landscape derived from observation, memory, or dreams.
    Natasha Gural, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Grant called out The Last Dance for its depiction of Jordan's teammates, specifically Chicago's other Hall of Famer during Grant's run, seven-time All-NBA small forward Scottie Pippen.
    Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The ad includes clips from news broadcasts covering, for example, Trump’s framework for a trade deal with the European Union.
    Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
  • The low, powerful finish from the edge of the box to beat Italy in the Under-21 Euros this summer was another example of his high ceiling in the final third.
    Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • But pretty pages filled with fancy graphics and clever animations get ignored while ugly pages with clear messages make sales.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Clothing must not feature offensive language, obscene gestures/graphics, or nudity or clothing that does not sufficiently cover undergarments.
    Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • How much of this summer’s leap is down to the rules and how much is just the natural order of football is open to interpretation.
    Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani offered a different interpretation of the ongoing dilemma, saying that jury nullification is a real possibility, especially when politics is involved.
    Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • At the event Nvidia speakers particularly focused on enterprise inference applications, where AI hopes to achieve its return on investment as pointed out in the slide image below.
    Thomas Coughlin, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The comments came as New Zealand Police released images on Tuesday showing a campsite set up in Waitomo, which is believed to be where Phillips and his children had been staying before he was fatally shot.
    Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • In our experience, the most effective health visuals are not just accurate—they're emotionally intelligent.
    Kristine Johnson, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • In the visuals, the humanoid robot cuts a 40 x 90 mm wooden beam with a handheld saw, showcasing its precision and continuous control.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Illustration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustration. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

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