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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of illustrative
While demographers, economists and sociologists agree on the challenges the declining birth rate could bring, some have argued that is also illustrative of societal progress—namely choice.
—
Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
Company examples are provided for illustrative purposes only.
—Roomy Khan, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Radiology provides an illustrative example of automation overreach.
—David Autor, The Atlantic, 24 Aug. 2025
The incident is illustrative of something experts have long feared in the contentious South China Sea; one mistake by one captain or pilot could lead to a superpower military confrontation.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illustrative
Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
Company examples are provided for illustrative purposes only.
—Roomy Khan, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Radiology provides an illustrative example of automation overreach.
—David Autor, The Atlantic, 24 Aug. 2025
The incident is illustrative of something experts have long feared in the contentious South China Sea; one mistake by one captain or pilot could lead to a superpower military confrontation.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illustrative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrative
Adjective
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Nothing is lost in this interpretive framework except historical truth in its most disarming configurations.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
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The landmark interpretive center, which opened to the public in 1994, is a hub for education on the Devonian period.—
Leo Bertucci,
Louisville Courier Journal,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Hybrid lanterns that meet the aforementioned criteria are indeed out there, waiting to illuminate your next campsite, glamping trip, picnic, late-night reading session, or simply to add a little illuminative flare to that embarrassingly barren bookshelf in time for the next Zoom meeting.—
J.D. Simkins,
Sunset Magazine,
17 Feb. 2022
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Along the way, Robbins spices his story through illuminative moments and mini-biographies.—
OregonLive.com,
OregonLive.com,
14 Oct. 2017
Adjective
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The BoE's high-level system-wide explanatory scenario, which is expected to take between nine and 12 months, will engage with a number of private market firms.—
Hugh Leask,
CNBC,
24 Oct. 2025
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The Associated Press receives support from Charles Schwab Foundation for educational and explanatory reporting to improve financial literacy.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illustrative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustrative. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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