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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of illustrate
Her rapid-fire lyrical delivery with her two backup singers coupled with horns even more scintillating live illustrated why that song deserves its exclamation point.
—
Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2026
In Old Goa the Museum of Christian Art, in the 17th-century Convent of Santa Monica, illustrates the imprint of Indian artisanship on the holy objects and textiles found in the region's early churches.
—Karina Acharya, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Apr. 2026
For Euphoria creator and producer Sam Levinson, Sunday night’s wedding needed to illustrate this in the most excessive way possible, both to accurately represent the psychology of their characters and act as a launchpad for the rest of the season’s drama.
—Zoe Papelis, Vulture, 27 Apr. 2026
The move illustrated a major intervention by the state in the local justice system, one of Kansas City’s few avenues for police accountability due to the city’s lack of control over its police force.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illustrate
Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2026
In Old Goa the Museum of Christian Art, in the 17th-century Convent of Santa Monica, illustrates the imprint of Indian artisanship on the holy objects and textiles found in the region's early churches.
—Karina Acharya, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Apr. 2026
For Euphoria creator and producer Sam Levinson, Sunday night’s wedding needed to illustrate this in the most excessive way possible, both to accurately represent the psychology of their characters and act as a launchpad for the rest of the season’s drama.
—Zoe Papelis, Vulture, 27 Apr. 2026
The move illustrated a major intervention by the state in the local justice system, one of Kansas City’s few avenues for police accountability due to the city’s lack of control over its police force.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illustrate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrate
Verb
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The ancestors demonstrate to the future the work that is yet to be done.—
Glenn Adamson,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
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In the ’90s, the blockbuster sales of two flea-and-tick medications, Frontline and Advantage, demonstrated untapped demand, and then intensified that demand by enabling new levels of indoor intimacy between dogs and people.—
Ross Andersen,
The Atlantic,
2 May 2026
Verb
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Arellano was recognized for opinion writing for his columns illuminating the fear and devastation of local immigrants during last summer’s ICE raids.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 May 2026
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But such moments when a TNO is illuminated by a star in the cosmic background, called stellar occultations, are rare opportunities to study the size, shape and features of a small, distant object, Arimatsu said.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
4 May 2026
Verb
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Besides the driver, an amiable man who was happy to explain how the shredder worked, only a few nervous schoolchildren stood around, supervised by a woman with a badge that identified her as an envoy of the library.—
Mary Norris,
New Yorker,
1 May 2026
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The bulletin examined nutrition in common foods (especially meat, bread, and milk), explained how the body uses food as fuel, outlined dietary standards, and considered the economy of food, food waste, and connections between food and health.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That moment was supposed to clarify the boundaries of acceptable discourse.—
Alma Hernandez,
New York Daily News,
1 May 2026
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Officials later clarified that a meth lab was never located inside Wells Hall.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illustrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustrate. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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