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
In Woodward, Oklahoma, there were huge, vivid murals illustrating the settler past of the region in the Cherokee Strip.
—
Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 9 Apr. 2025
This progression illustrates a potential slide from empowered use to unhealthy dependence.
—Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
Ramzan illustrates how this could work in business settings.
—Joe McKendrick, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
Georgia’s experience, following the Russian playbook, illustrates how authoritarians are learning from each other, utilizing the rule of law itself against democracy.
—Anastasiya Zavyalova, The Conversation, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illustrate
Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 9 Apr. 2025
This progression illustrates a potential slide from empowered use to unhealthy dependence.
—Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
Ramzan illustrates how this could work in business settings.
—Joe McKendrick, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
Georgia’s experience, following the Russian playbook, illustrates how authoritarians are learning from each other, utilizing the rule of law itself against democracy.
—Anastasiya Zavyalova, The Conversation, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illustrate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrate
Verb
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Surprising Loyalty and Stability Despite their reputation for independence and skepticism, Gen X demonstrates remarkable workplace loyalty compared to younger generations.—
Caroline Castrillon,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
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Jack Moorhouse, a 19-year-old midfielder, has demonstrated an ability to pick up the ball and carry it up the pitch at youth level — an attribute sorely lacking among the first-team squad.—
Mark Critchley,
New York Times,
19 Apr. 2025
Verb
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More than 1,000 twinkling candles will illuminate the stage.—
Katcy Stephan,
Variety,
9 Apr. 2025
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For example, the Kross Studio's Bat-Signal lamp illuminates, further immersing the collector into the universe of Gotham City and also conceals a dedicated space on his backside to safely store The Batman tourbillon or any other watch.—
Stéphane JG Girod,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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This effect could explain why telescopes detect more galaxies rotating opposite to Earth’s motion than expected.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Mar. 2025
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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
Verb
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Illustrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustrate. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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