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
The boards illustrate the two-story building with details such as white walls and a clay roof, alcoves and residential balconies facing the street.
—
Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2026
There’s an inherent inadequacy of the English language to fully illustrate how great this bar is.
—Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Apr. 2026
The report illustrates how tax rates and incomes interact.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 6 Apr. 2026
Its depiction of Earth's blue marble rising in the distance above the barren lunar surface illustrated how fragile our world really is amidst the vastness of space, and how, despite our differences, all of us share one planet.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illustrate
Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2026
There’s an inherent inadequacy of the English language to fully illustrate how great this bar is.
—Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Apr. 2026
The report illustrates how tax rates and incomes interact.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 6 Apr. 2026
Its depiction of Earth's blue marble rising in the distance above the barren lunar surface illustrated how fragile our world really is amidst the vastness of space, and how, despite our differences, all of us share one planet.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illustrate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrate
Verb
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The Griffin lander will demonstrate its ability to land with no official NASA payload, but will touch down on Mons Mouton near the western rim of Nobile crater close to the lunar south pole.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2026
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In the competitive landscape, the model is expected to go head-to-head with rivals such as the Geely Galaxy M9, a large plug-in hybrid SUV that has already demonstrated strong early market traction with more than 11,000 deliveries in just the first two months of the year.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Strings on folk or rock albums often exist to bolster melodies or add some easy drama; Eisenberg uses them as bursts of color, miniature sunsets briefly illuminating their melodies before sinking below the horizon.—
Reed Jackson,
SPIN,
6 Apr. 2026
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During their closest approach to the moon, when the Orion capsule will fly about 4,070 miles away from the moon’s surface, around 21% of the moon's far side should be illuminated and visible to the astronauts, according to Kelsey Young, the Artemis II lunar science lead.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Mariam explained that she’d been admitted to Bronx Science through a program called Discovery, for students from disadvantaged backgrounds whose test scores fell just below the school’s cutoff line.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2026
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Could the seizures explain Al-Hashimi’s moments of forgetfulness that Robby has been curious about during his shift?—
Raven Brunner,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The administration committee clarified key category placements that could have an effect this year’s contenders.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
9 Apr. 2026
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Neither Shelbayh, the tournament nor the police have clarified what Shelbayh alleged to have been said to him.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illustrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustrate. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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