illustrative
adjective
il·lus·tra·tive
i-ˈlə-strə-tiv 
also
ˈi-lə-ˌstrā-
: serving, tending, or designed to illustrate
illustrative examples
art that is illustrative of provincial life
illustratively
adverb
Synonyms
Examples of illustrative in a Sentence
an illustrative analogy in which the relationship between God and humanity is likened to that between a shepherd and his flock
Recent Examples on the Web
For their part, congressional Democrats said the plans were no surprise and are illustrative of the chaos that faces much of the Republican Party today.
—
Barbara Sprunt, NPR, 13 June 2024
Wired’s Mark Harris went with Rush in the prototype on a very illustrative trip in Seattle’s Elliott Bay.
—Ryan Erik King / Jalopnik, Quartz, 11 June 2024
The viral post was apparently illustrative for many, including the Muppet who started it all.
—David Matthews, New York Daily News, 31 Jan. 2024
Newer technologies—such as AI, driverless vehicles, intelligent weapons, medical applications, and robotics—are illustrative of where there will be a need for different interpretations of the same ethics statement in the IEEE Code of Conduct.
—IEEE Spectrum, 20 July 2018
See all Example Sentences for illustrative 
Barbara Sprunt, NPR, 13 June 2024
Wired’s Mark Harris went with Rush in the prototype on a very illustrative trip in Seattle’s Elliott Bay.
—Ryan Erik King / Jalopnik, Quartz, 11 June 2024
The viral post was apparently illustrative for many, including the Muppet who started it all.
—David Matthews, New York Daily News, 31 Jan. 2024
Newer technologies—such as AI, driverless vehicles, intelligent weapons, medical applications, and robotics—are illustrative of where there will be a need for different interpretations of the same ethics statement in the IEEE Code of Conduct.
—IEEE Spectrum, 20 July 2018
See all Example Sentences for illustrative
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'illustrative.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near illustrative
Cite this Entry
“Illustrative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/illustrative. Accessed 30 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
illustrative
adjective
il·lus·tra·tive
il-ˈəs-trət-iv
: serving or meant to illustrate
illustrative examples
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