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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of illustrate
And so looking at the Whitecaps’ run from 30,000 feet, it can be used to partly illustrate the tale of success on the men’s side.
—
Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 30 May 2025
Els took a South African passport from his jacket pocket to illustrate his pride in his country.
—Joey Garrison, USA Today, 22 May 2025
As the shot map below illustrates, since the start of the 2022-23 season, a large portion of his goals have been scored from in and around the six-yard box.
—Andy Jones, New York Times, 21 May 2025
The capacity to misdirect, in Biden’s case, or mislead, as happened under Trump, illustrates one of the magical features of the White House: the ability of a president to conceal himself in plain sight.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for illustrate
Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 30 May 2025
Els took a South African passport from his jacket pocket to illustrate his pride in his country.
—Joey Garrison, USA Today, 22 May 2025
As the shot map below illustrates, since the start of the 2022-23 season, a large portion of his goals have been scored from in and around the six-yard box.
—Andy Jones, New York Times, 21 May 2025
The capacity to misdirect, in Biden’s case, or mislead, as happened under Trump, illustrates one of the magical features of the White House: the ability of a president to conceal himself in plain sight.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for illustrate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrate
Verb
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Not least the fact that clubs other than City will be monitoring Gibbs-White’s position, with the 26-year-old England international having demonstrated his value emphatically again during a season in which Forest pushed for a top-five finish for many months.—
Paul Taylor,
New York Times,
6 June 2025
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Other journalists had excoriated McCarthy earlier, in print and on the radio, but Murrow met the medium and the moment in 1954, demonstrating the senator’s smear tactics and stirring a severe public backlash.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
6 June 2025
Verb
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Those discussions were illuminating, and Microsoft’s recent Work Trend Index (also covered by my colleague Melody Brue) suggests a desire to figure this out.—
Jason Andersen,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
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For some adults, watching a pet die illuminates their spiritual beliefs.—
John Blake,
CNN Money,
8 June 2025
Verb
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Furthermore these efforts should also find ways to explain the costs of AI use from an environmental perspective.—
Ron Schmelzer,
Forbes.com,
7 June 2025
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Nivola in Lochlan’s season-ending near-death experience and Koch in a one-take episode in which Erik explains to his attorney the abuse within the Menendez household.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
7 June 2025
Verb
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Use these prompts to clarify thinking, then test insights through actual leadership situations.—
Sarah Hernholm,
Forbes.com,
7 June 2025
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Before she’s had time to clarify matters, a TV monitor in the bank lobby shows live news reportage, casting her as the alleged perpetrator of a hostage crisis the whole city is watching unfold.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illustrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustrate. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.
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