Definition of illustrativenext
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

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Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of illustrative Elements and tenets of their forms will be compared and celebrated in illustrative lecture and demonstration by Chinese art scholars and artists, Zhai You and Fan Lei. — Jamie Chapman, Baltimore Sun, 28 Oct. 2026 These illustrative figures exclude initial implementation and later consequences of undetected errors. — Swapnil Upganlawar, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026 As a character Chigurh is particularly illustrative of this worldview, often reducing the fate of other characters to a coin toss. — Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026 Statistics or dollar amounts are supported but illustrative, not promises. — Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for illustrative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrative
Adjective
  • For something quieter, there’s a riverside interpretive trail along the Nenana.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2026
  • In the soft light of dawn, an Ohio tourist studied the interpretive sign at the summit of Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park, reading about how magma formed the ground under her feet.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Another way this plays out in the book is in my analysis of how re-translators often echo or follow one another, rather than looking afresh at the interpretative possibilities of the originals.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The effects of such abstemiousness are less clear, though a pair of new movies point in two very different interpretative directions.
    — Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Along the way, Robbins spices his story through illuminative moments and mini-biographies.
    — OregonLive.com, OregonLive.com, 14 Oct. 2017
Adjective
  • This is in contrast to myths, for example, which are sacred creation or explanatory stories set before or outside of normal time.
    — Jeffrey Tolbert, The Conversation, 28 Oct. 2026
  • As the series continues, however, Kazan plays up the explanatory power of an incident from Cathy’s childhood.
    — Alison Herman, Variety, 1 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Illustrative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustrative. Accessed 10 Nov. 2026.

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