1
as in diagrams
something that visually explains or decorates a text
this book on birds has gorgeous illustrations
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in explanations
a statement that makes something clear
forced to give several illustrations until she was understood
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in pictures
a two-dimensional design intended to look like a person or thing
the doctor sketched an illustration to explain the procedure to the patient
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4
as in examples
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of illustrations
The document that landed Wednesday numbers 10 pages, with illustrations and cover letter — although supplemental material reached some 250 pages.
—
Sarah Todd, STAT, 7 Jan. 2026
This was a darker point in Bowie's career, expressed by Cordell through the use of grey, black and red in his illustrations.
—Katie Hill, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
The artist, married to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, wore a structured black jacket from French label Jacquemus for the publication's special cover in which her own illustrations have appeared.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 1 Jan. 2026
Monster Hands’ illustrations feature the dark purples and blues of night lit by the yellow of flashlight beams.
—Sara Rowe Mount, Parents, 26 Dec. 2025
Seldes finally did introduce The Diamond Lens and Other Stories,published in 1932 as a limited edition with subtly sinister illustrations by Ferdinand Huszti Horvath.
—Michael Dirda, The New York Review of Books, 25 Dec. 2025
The story begins with muted illustrations in neutral colors.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 23 Dec. 2025
Gorgeous, atmospheric illustrations by renowned French artist Grégoire Solotareff bring wintry warmth to Sylvester and Poppy’s world.
—Caroline Carlson, Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
The deck includes 54 original illustrations, and the Swiftie in your life will find dozens of references to musical artist's diverse collection of albums as well as plenty of Taylor Swift lore.
—Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Nov. 2025
Sarah Todd, STAT, 7 Jan. 2026
This was a darker point in Bowie's career, expressed by Cordell through the use of grey, black and red in his illustrations.
—Katie Hill, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
The artist, married to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, wore a structured black jacket from French label Jacquemus for the publication's special cover in which her own illustrations have appeared.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 1 Jan. 2026
Monster Hands’ illustrations feature the dark purples and blues of night lit by the yellow of flashlight beams.
—Sara Rowe Mount, Parents, 26 Dec. 2025
Seldes finally did introduce The Diamond Lens and Other Stories,published in 1932 as a limited edition with subtly sinister illustrations by Ferdinand Huszti Horvath.
—Michael Dirda, The New York Review of Books, 25 Dec. 2025
The story begins with muted illustrations in neutral colors.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 23 Dec. 2025
Gorgeous, atmospheric illustrations by renowned French artist Grégoire Solotareff bring wintry warmth to Sylvester and Poppy’s world.
—Caroline Carlson, Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
The deck includes 54 original illustrations, and the Swiftie in your life will find dozens of references to musical artist's diverse collection of albums as well as plenty of Taylor Swift lore.
—Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrations
Noun
-
Dustin further diagrams all of this for the entire team in Episode 7.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
25 Dec. 2025
-
By working with a wide range of manufacturing industry data—from maintenance manuals and machine automation code to complex diagrams, 3D drawings, and process data—gen AI has the potential to establish new ways for people and machines to collaborate.—
Johannes Berndt,
Harvard Business Review,
14 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Like too many hack politicians, Wardlaw seems long on excuses and short on explanations.—
Robert Steinbuch,
Arkansas Online,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Results appear in about 30 seconds along with clear explanations and recommendations.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Kardashian included a round-up of photos throughout the years, featuring pictures of Chicago skiing, cuddling with her mom, spending time with her family and posing in a field of flowers.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Snapchat filters, chokers and saturated pictures are making a comeback, sort of.—
Kate Perez,
USA Today,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Key Takeaways Running, cycling, HIIT, and jumping rope are all examples of cardio exercise proven to improve cholesterol profiles.—
Sohaib Imtiaz,
Verywell Health,
14 Jan. 2026
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Strangely some of the most famous examples are of accountants and insurance salesman.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Certain graphics on this page may be affected by ad-blocking software.—
Dom Luszczyszyn,
New York Times,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Since then, Hjeltness has expanded the shop’s focus from primarily everyday business printing — think business cards, letterhead, invoices — to additionally incorporate more colorful marketing materials, wide-format banners and storefront graphics.—
Jared Kaufman,
Twin Cities,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The best of the bunch run the gamut from crowd-pleasing interpretations of tonka bean and leather to on-the-nose odes to a crackling fireplace.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
14 Jan. 2026
-
More likely are the frequent incidents where moving objects are subject to multiple interpretations.—
Harvey Levine,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The movement is considered a response to the ever-present and growing sense of alienation among people, as well as a rejection of the traditional depictions of everyday life in Eastern Europe.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Pormanove, 46, was also known online for completing extreme challenges on livestreams, and his death drew public scrutiny for — and an investigation by French authorities into — the streaming platform Kick for allowing creators to share videos that include depictions of physical and verbal abuse.—
Luke Chinman,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Western counterparts often acknowledge them privately, even as public backlash from some European institutions and media figures ensued against Rubio’s candor.—
Daniel Ross Goodman,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
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The Mean Green’s best football season ever wasn’t even over before the major figures from that team left, or announced their intentions to bounce ASAP; when the season did end, moments after UNT defeated San Diego State to win the New Mexico Bowl, is when the great Denton flood began.—
Mac Engel
January 9,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illustrations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustrations. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
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