1
as in diagrams
something that visually explains or decorates a text
this book on birds has gorgeous illustrations
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Relevance
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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Recent Examples of illustrations
Featuring illustrations by Sophie Blackall, the novella wraps up the trilogy that DiCamillo largely wrote during the COVID-19 pandemic.
—
Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
Names have been changed and illustrations are anonymous to ensure their safety.
—Carlotta Dotto, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
Renowned for its exquisite illustrations and calligraphy, The Book of Kells has long been believed to have originated on the island of Iona in the Scottish Hebrides, before moving to Ireland in the 9th century.
—Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 28 Sep. 2025
Visually, their style is patented, punctuated by lush character illustrations and hybridized 2D and 3D worldbuilding that others try to imitate (and mostly fail).
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025
Released on September 2 through Little Bee Books/Simon & Schuster in partnership with the Sam Cooke Estate and ABKCO Music & Records, A Change Is Gonna Come pairs the legendary lyrics with sweeping illustrations from acclaimed artist Nikkolas Smith.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 24 Sep. 2025
Even the wine lists are delightful physical specimens, bound in corrugated cardboard in homage to the nineteen-seventies Italian cookbook series In Bocca, and découpaged with psychedelic illustrations from the books.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2025
The maps are based on the Pew Research Center's publishing of several visual illustrations, based on its 2023-24 Religious Landscape Study, on Tuesday.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
Their simple yet elevated styles and colors align with our sensibilities, and being able to infuse their sleepwear with our out-of-the-box illustrations felt completely natural.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 16 Sep. 2025
Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
Names have been changed and illustrations are anonymous to ensure their safety.
—Carlotta Dotto, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
Renowned for its exquisite illustrations and calligraphy, The Book of Kells has long been believed to have originated on the island of Iona in the Scottish Hebrides, before moving to Ireland in the 9th century.
—Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 28 Sep. 2025
Visually, their style is patented, punctuated by lush character illustrations and hybridized 2D and 3D worldbuilding that others try to imitate (and mostly fail).
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025
Released on September 2 through Little Bee Books/Simon & Schuster in partnership with the Sam Cooke Estate and ABKCO Music & Records, A Change Is Gonna Come pairs the legendary lyrics with sweeping illustrations from acclaimed artist Nikkolas Smith.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 24 Sep. 2025
Even the wine lists are delightful physical specimens, bound in corrugated cardboard in homage to the nineteen-seventies Italian cookbook series In Bocca, and découpaged with psychedelic illustrations from the books.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2025
The maps are based on the Pew Research Center's publishing of several visual illustrations, based on its 2023-24 Religious Landscape Study, on Tuesday.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
Their simple yet elevated styles and colors align with our sensibilities, and being able to infuse their sleepwear with our out-of-the-box illustrations felt completely natural.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 16 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrations
Noun
-
There are lots of diagrams that can represent the same knot.—
Leila Sloman,
Quanta Magazine,
22 Sep. 2025
-
Countless users have commented on them, zoomed in on them, slowed them to a crawl, theorized about them or marked them up with arrows and diagrams and published the results.—
Zeynep Tufekci,
Mercury News,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
There are two possible explanations for the observed flight.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Possible explanations include changes in blood pressure, heart rate and even circadian rhythms (the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle).—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The only thing neighbors’ cameras will share are pictures and clips of dogs that could be yours.—
Mike Feibus,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
-
The reporter had already sent me pictures and audio recordings, promising a complete draft by Monday night.—
Zahra Nader,
Time,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Woolf noted that growing up in challenging environments can contribute to mental illness, pointing to examples such as living in a country affected by war or civil unrest.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
-
While early cars in concours condition might be valued at $90,000, good-condition examples should be in the $25,000 to $30,000 range.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
As a remake of the original 2013 PS3 game, The Last of Us was rebuilt with better graphics while retaining an authentic experience.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Promotional graphics advertising the skillshare show a hammer, a balaclava, and walkie-talkies.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Subramanian’s interpretations suggest a tougher stance, signaling potential challenges ahead for Combs as the hearing continues.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Each artist created their own interpretations of Jacobs’ signature silhouettes, ranging from the Tote Bag and Snapshot to ready-to-wear, accessories and wallets, through the lens of joy as wearable fashions.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Breast ultrasound uses sound waves to look at the breast and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses radio waves and magnets to make detailed images, often used for high-risk patients.—
Dr. Megha Gupta,
ABC News,
1 Oct. 2025
-
However, along with the official documents, Israel uncovered images of the activist with Birawi.—
Rachel Wolf,
FOXNews.com,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
This marked a slight increase on figures from August, during which time Moscow claimed to have downed 2,786 Ukrainian drones at an average rate of nearly 90 per day.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Dylan Cease, the talented but mercurial right-hander, will take the mound Wednesday afternoon with what figures to be a short leash.—
Dennis Lin,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illustrations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustrations. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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