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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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 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 And a lack of both discipline and points — as demonstrated during most of Daboll’s tenure — is a bad combination and sign for 2025. —Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 5 June 2025 City and library officials say the murals further demonstrate the city’s effort to draw people to the downtown and lakefront areas. —Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2025 Netflix’s dark comedy is full of drama, romance and the bonds of sisterhood Comments Sirens demonstrates that wanting more in life while staying true to oneself might be easier said than done. —Francesca Gariano, People.com, 24 May 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
  • Trump’s advisers remain animated by the unyielding belief that the economic experts were proven wrong in Trump’s first term.
    — Phil Mattingly, CNN Money, 4 June 2025
  • The Democratic Governors Association, which works to elect Democratic governors across the country and protect incumbents, argued in a statement that Hochul has been continually underestimated and proven doubters wrong.
    — Jared Gans, The Hill, 4 June 2025
Definition of prove
Verb
  • In spite of his ability to carry the ball forward — a point of difference from his fellow midfielders — Willock has never quite established himself as integral, at least in part because of his struggles with injury.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 6 June 2025
  • Cuomo has established a polling lead over other candidates and is viewed as the leader with less than a month until the primary, as progressives seek to rally behind other candidates to prevent him from becoming the party's nominee because of his more moderate policy positions.
    — Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
Definition of establish
Verb
  • Diary entries written by Luigi Mangione reveal the now 27-year-old’s detailed thinking before the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last year, a new court filing shows.
    — Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 5 June 2025
  • Beyond the To-Do List Host Erik Fisher interviews productivity experts and practitioners, revealing the real-world tactics that help people achieve their goals and get things done.
    — Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
Definition of reveal
Verb
  • The smaller budget is in part explained by the expiration of one-time spending that came as part of 2023’s more than $70 billion budget that raised spending by nearly 40%.
    — Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 7 June 2025
  • And as one dad recently shared on Reddit, the days of explaining things with talk of storks or other mythical tales are likely over.
    — Christian Dashiell, Parents, 7 June 2025
Definition of explain
Verb
  • However, as one family’s experience illustrates, the story of the Great Wealth Transfer is far more complex.
    — Joseph Coughlin, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
  • To illustrate the scale of this complexity, Lin explains that there can be seemingly endless ticket combinations for trips between Los Angeles and London.
    — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 1 June 2025
Definition of illustrate
Verb
  • Example for business leaders: These books show how point of view can change everything — and sharing your point of view and being open to others perspectives is a critical business leadership skill.
    — Esther K. Choy, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
  • For comparison, some TV OSes, like Roku OS and LG's webOS, show ads on the OS's home screen and/or when showing screensavers.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 1 June 2025
Definition of show
Verb
  • They were punished with another partial stadium closure in April after displaying banners insulting ex-PSG player Rabiot during a game against Marseille.
    — Tomás Hill López-Menchero, New York Times, 31 May 2025
  • The 2023 Chianti Classico displayed beautiful freshness and elegance, offering pure fruit and immediate charm. Querciabella (Greve, Radda, Gaiole) – With organic and biodynamic vineyards across multiple UGAs, Querciabella champions purity and transparency in every bottle.
    — Jessica Dupuy, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
Definition of display
Verb
  • Use these prompts to clarify thinking, then test insights through actual leadership situations.
    — Sarah Hernholm, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
  • While the wording from Van Duyne appeared to suggest that SBA funds would only be available to U.S. citizens, rather than businesses under foreign or undocumented ownership, the bill itself clarified that green card holders would be eligible to apply.
    — Dan Gooding Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 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 10 Jun. 2025.

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