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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of illustrate
Trump’s heroism, his supporters believe, was illustrated after a bullet grazed his ear during an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania in July 2024.
—
Alex Hinton, The Conversation, 21 Feb. 2025
But for the Pistons, this feat illustrates just how drastic last season was.
—Hunter Patterson, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025
To illustrate this, imagine how a war with China in the Indo-Pacific might evolve if the U.S. military properly marshaled this mix of capabilities.
—Zack Cooper, Foreign Affairs, 21 Feb. 2025
Both locations seek to illustrate the connection between professional work and nature.
—Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illustrate
Alex Hinton, The Conversation, 21 Feb. 2025
But for the Pistons, this feat illustrates just how drastic last season was.
—Hunter Patterson, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025
To illustrate this, imagine how a war with China in the Indo-Pacific might evolve if the U.S. military properly marshaled this mix of capabilities.
—Zack Cooper, Foreign Affairs, 21 Feb. 2025
Both locations seek to illustrate the connection between professional work and nature.
—Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illustrate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrate
Verb
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Putin’s reckless gamble in Ukraine demonstrated his willingness to sacrifice lucrative economic ties to Europe for glory.—
Sergey Radchenko,
Foreign Affairs,
18 Feb. 2025
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Paleontologists have been working in the Fayum for over a century, but the Sallam Lab demonstrated there is more to discover in this remarkable region.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
17 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The primary living space is warmed by a log-burning fireplace and leads to a kitchen galley partially illuminated by a skylight.—
Richard Lane,
USA TODAY,
24 Feb. 2025
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The emerging human/machine partnership illuminates what each brings to the table.—
Mark A. Cohen,
Forbes,
23 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Fact check: Post misrepresents satirical petition as $1 trillion offer for California Heusgen debunked the claim in the Facebook post in a Feb. 17 X post, explaining that his show of emotion was related to his retirement as chairman, not Vance's statements.—
Hannah Hudnall,
USA TODAY,
20 Feb. 2025
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The Huskies are 341st nationally and worst amongst all high-major teams in defensive foul rate, per KenPom, which also explains why their opponents have attempted the third-most free throws of any high-major team (behind only Ohio State and Boston College).—
CJ Moore,
The Athletic,
19 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Meanwhile, the fertility clinic has not been able to clarify what exactly happened to her own embryo—there’s a chance that it was mistakenly implanted in another person as well.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
19 Feb. 2025
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Yes, but: A U.S. Department of Homeland Security spokesperson clarified that Homan was referring only to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests.—
Jeremy Duda,
Axios,
18 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illustrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustrate. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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