1
as in to demonstrate
to show or make clear by using examples
she illustrated her point with a story about her experiences as a field anthropologist
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to illuminate
to supplement with pictorial matter for the purpose of explanation or decoration
lavishly illustrated the monograph on Caravaggio with color plates
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to explain
to make plain or understandable
the recent devastating fire illustrates the need for improved safety codes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of illustrate
Despite the calm, residents remained wary of the media frenzy the neighborhood had seen for several weeks, illustrated by a sign posted on a pole down the street from Guthrie’s house.
—
Helen Rummel, AZCentral.com, 22 Feb. 2026
The recent controversies involving Bud Light and Target illustrate different forms of customer disconnect.
—Betsy Atkins, Fortune, 22 Feb. 2026
Violins’ soaring melodies were sometimes illustrated with random pans of other sections of the orchestra.
—Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, 22 Feb. 2026
Critics said the convictions illustrated how authorities crushed dissent following the 2019 protests.
—ABC News, 22 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illustrate
Helen Rummel, AZCentral.com, 22 Feb. 2026
The recent controversies involving Bud Light and Target illustrate different forms of customer disconnect.
—Betsy Atkins, Fortune, 22 Feb. 2026
Violins’ soaring melodies were sometimes illustrated with random pans of other sections of the orchestra.
—Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, 22 Feb. 2026
Critics said the convictions illustrated how authorities crushed dissent following the 2019 protests.
—ABC News, 22 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illustrate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrate
Verb
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For instance, the current system demonstrates radio-frequency communication, but full spacecraft electronics involve many other components, including processors, memory systems, and power management units.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Feb. 2026
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Currently, many states allow drivers to take their license tests in other languages even though they are required to demonstrate English proficiency.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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As the heartache eases, memories often heal and illuminate.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Feb. 2026
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This idea is neatly illuminated in the seminal What Can One Do with a Paving Stone, 1971, comprising a series of black-and-white photographs mounted to canvas and showing the artist variously carrying, caressing, wrapping, and otherwise handling the titular stone.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The suit prompted the restaurant to update language on its bill to explain that the service fee was not the same as a gratuity.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
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In general, the hospital has always instructed its providers not to make comments or notes about a patient’s immigration status on notes or other materials that can be accessed, the doctor explained.—
Lauren Mascarenhas,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The brief comment during a lightning round of questions quickly attracted attention and Obama later sought to clarify his remarks with a statement on social media.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
20 Feb. 2026
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In this study, P-free and P-containing glasses and glass ceramics were synthesized and evaluated using various analytical methods to clarify the influence of P addition on the glass structure and state of P after crystallization.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illustrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustrate. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
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