demonstrate

verb

ˈde-mən-ˌstrāt How to pronounce demonstrate (audio)
Definition of demonstratenext
1
as in to prove
to gain full recognition or acceptance of you must demonstrate your scientific thesis before a jury of your professional peers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to establish
to show the existence or truth of by evidence the paleontologist hopes to demonstrate that dinosaurs once existed in central Peru by unearthing the fossil evidence

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to reveal
to make known (something abstract) through outward signs the babysitter's actions during the emergency demonstrate beyond doubt her general dependability

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to explain
to make plain or understandable a few striking facts should demonstrate the complex nature of our topic

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to illustrate
to show or make clear by using examples the visiting physicist demonstrated very graphically several basic scientific principles

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word demonstrate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of demonstrate are evidence, evince, manifest, and show. While all these words mean "to reveal outwardly or make apparent," demonstrate implies showing by action or by display of feeling.

demonstrated their approval by loud applause

When would evidence be a good substitute for demonstrate?

While in some cases nearly identical to demonstrate, evidence suggests serving as proof of the actuality or existence of something.

a commitment evidenced by years of loyal service

When might evince be a better fit than demonstrate?

The meanings of evince and demonstrate largely overlap; however, evince implies a showing by outward marks or signs.

evinced not the slightest fear

When could manifest be used to replace demonstrate?

Although the words manifest and demonstrate have much in common, manifest implies a plainer, more immediate revelation.

manifested musical ability at an early age

When can show be used instead of demonstrate?

The words show and demonstrate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, show is the general term but sometimes implies that what is revealed must be gained by inference from acts, looks, or words.

careful not to show his true feelings

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of demonstrate Employees of New York’s Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum on April 16 demonstrated outside the institution in response to its recent staff cuts. —News Desk, Artforum, 18 Apr. 2025 While tensions over Taiwan and the South China Sea are intensifying, China's support for Russia, Iran, and now the Houthis demonstrates the wider challenge and the risk of conflict. —Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025 Media coverage Being featured in major publications or news outlets that demonstrate your impact on the field and the national importance of your endeavor. —William Jones, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025 While older characters lament a loss of connection, efforts to bridge technological divides demonstrate how cross-generational bonds are possible. —Heather Scott Partington, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for demonstrate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demonstrate
  1. prove
  2. establish
  3. reveal
  4. explain
  5. illustrate
  6. show
  7. display
  8. clarify
Verb
  • Naysayers insisted that increasing content costs would match the company’s rapid topline and subscriber growth, and profits would prove illusory.
    — Michael Khouw, CNBC, 17 Apr. 2025
  • The first three days of the season took care of such foolish rookie thoughts and proved to be a humbling, but learning, experience.
    — Thomas Weddle, Outdoor Life, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of prove
Verb
  • What things like weekly releases, time slots, and appointment television do is establish a habit.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Coogler established himself, with Creed and his two Black Panthermovies, as a filmmaker with propulsive, novel takes on franchise fare.
    — David Sims, The Atlantic, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of establish
Verb
  • In September 2023, another investigation with Webb – an advanced telescope launched in 2021 outfitted with powerful infrared instruments – revealed something more: traces of carbon-bearing molecules in K2-18b's atmosphere, including methane and carbon dioxide.
    — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The report also revealed that builders are also being forced to slash selling prices to entice reluctant buyers, as high mortgage rates and soaring prices force many aspiring homeowners to the sidelines of the market.
    — Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of reveal
Verb
  • This effect could explain why telescopes detect more galaxies rotating opposite to Earth’s motion than expected.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 16 Mar. 2025
  • If your golf cart has four wheels, weighs less than 3,000 pounds and can exceed speeds of 20 mph, it’s considered a low-speed vehicle under California law, Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers explained.
    — Fernanda Galan, Sacramento Bee, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of explain
Verb
  • Her own work has illustrated how different brain regions activate when processing English or Chinese sentences because of their differing linguistic properties.
    — Gayoung Lee, Scientific American, 14 Apr. 2025
  • As the graphic above illustrates, Galatasaray’s Napoli loanee can find space to shoot, even with limited service.
    — Ali Rampling, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of illustrate
Verb
  • Monday's filing showed the investigations began April 1 and the tariffs would be imposed under the authority of Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, which grants the president such power to protect national security.
    — John Bacon, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Photos of the aftermath show a portion of the building devastated by the fire, with furniture destroyed and the floor covered in ash.
    — Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of show
Verb
  • All were displayed in an austere room designed for examining art works—an oddly formal space for an encounter with one’s past.
    — Bruce Handy, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Dedicated to the suspension of time, the booth displayed vignettes portraying urban landscapes, creating a sense of calmness in a dynamic setting.
    — Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of display
Verb
  • However, Trump did not clarify whether this move would exempt Israel from the 17 percent reciprocal tariffs set to take effect on Wednesday.
    — Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney Phil Sorrells in February asked Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to clarify the law.
    — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of clarify

Browse Nearby Words

demonstrable
demonstrate
demonstrated
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Cite this Entry

“Demonstrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demonstrate. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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