Synonyms of illustrative

illustrative

adjective

i-ˈlə-strə-tiv 

as in interpretive

serving to explain

an illustrative analogy in which the relationship between God and humanity is likened to that between a shepherd and his flock

Synonyms & Similar Words

• interpretive
• interpretative
• explanative
• illuminative
• explanatory
• expository
• explicative
• exegetical
• analytic
• elucidative
• explicatory
• expositive
• discursive
• demonstrative
• exculpatory
• exonerative

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of illustrative

Winslow Homer’s The Morning Bell (originally The Old Mill, pictured above) is illustrative of this distinction in art. — Literary Hub, 10 June 2026

Golinger pointed to NextEra Energy as an illustrative example of how the dynamics can compound over time. — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 9 June 2026

For illustrative purposes, this could be set at a ballpark figure of $1,500 to $2,000 per day of military duty. — Robert Krasner, STAT, 1 June 2026

San Francisco—which adopted Housing First in 2009—is illustrative, with 60 percent of its massive homelessness budget being spent on housing subsidies for the formerly homeless. — Christopher Calton, Oc Register, 8 May 2026