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as in example
one of a group or collection that shows what the whole is like chose one essay as an illustration of the high quality of the collection

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word illustration distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of illustration are case, example, instance, sample, and specimen. While all these words mean "something that exhibits distinguishing characteristics in its category," illustration applies to an instance offered as a means of clarifying or illuminating a general statement.

a telling illustration of Murphy's Law

Where would case be a reasonable alternative to illustration?

The meanings of case and illustration largely overlap; however, case is used to direct attention to a real or assumed occurrence or situation that is to be considered, studied, or dealt with.

a case of mistaken identity

When could example be used to replace illustration?

In some situations, the words example and illustration are roughly equivalent. However, example applies to a typical, representative, or illustrative instance or case.

a typical example of bureaucratic waste

When would instance be a good substitute for illustration?

While the synonyms instance and illustration are close in meaning, instance applies to any individual person, act, or thing that may be offered to illustrate or explain.

an instance of history repeating itself

In what contexts can sample take the place of illustration?

The words sample and illustration can be used in similar contexts, but sample implies a part or unit taken at random from a larger whole and so presumed to be typical of its qualities.

show us a sample of your work

When might specimen be a better fit than illustration?

While in some cases nearly identical to illustration, specimen applies to any example or sample whether representative or merely existent and available.

one of the finest specimens of the jeweler's art

Examples 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 illustration This makes Wisconsin a great illustration of both the power and the limits of demographics — data that describe the characteristics of a population — in understanding how people vote. Craig Gilbert, Journal Sentinel, 30 Oct. 2024 Ford hit the brakes In this photo illustration, the Nvidia logo is displayed on a smartphone screen against a computer screen what displays stock graphs on August 19, 2024 as stock markets stabilize after a setback at the beginning of August. Kristian Burt, CNBC, 29 Oct. 2024 The most graphic illustration of this is Jeff Bezos. Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 29 Oct. 2024 My mom’s biological illustrations and art provided a helpful way of looking at the world. Amy Brady, Scientific American, 22 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for illustration 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustration
Noun
  • The narrator describes listening to an astronomy talk, full of figures and charts and diagrams, and starting to feel sick and tired.
    Lane Sainty, The Arizona Republic, 3 Nov. 2024
  • Visualize your problems and develop solutions with fishbone diagrams and SWOT analysis.
    StackCommerce Team (Sponsored), PCMAG, 27 Oct. 2024
Noun
  • Godot provides extensive documentation with clear explanations for even its most confusing concepts.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
  • For the lower 3-D level of fossils, the explanation of cause of death is much more banal: burrow collapse.
    Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Albanese cited the risks to the physical and mental health of children from excessive social media use, in particular the risks to girls from harmful depictions of body image and misogynist content aimed at boys.
    Reuters, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
  • Its depiction is based on the real-life mobster Tony Spilotro’s association with the Las Vegas Tower of Pizza restaurant in the 1960s.
    Melinda Sheckells, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • For example, Private Relay obscures your IP address while browsing the web using Safari.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
  • This evolutionary partnership is still intact to this day, with leafcutter ants being the prime example.
    Popular Science Staff, Popular Science, 6 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Be aware that even with graphics hardware acceleration, some of these effects took up to a half minute to complete on my test PC.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 12 Nov. 2024
  • Over the past decade, scientists and researchers discovered that the same Nvidia chip designs that could render polygons and computer graphics were ideal for the kind of parallel processing needed for AI.
    Kif Leswing, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • That interpretation reached something of a tipping point with the September 30 death of Creel, one of Broadway’s most popular leading men of musicals and much beloved for his LGBTQ+ activism.
    Greg Evans, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2024
  • Kardashian’s modern interpretation of the historic piece included layering it with pearl necklaces and completing the look with an ivory cape-style coat.
    Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 3 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • On May 15, the park issued a news release alongside images from the footage and asked the public to help identify the man and woman in the video.
    Corey Buhay, Outside Online, 8 Nov. 2024
  • Governor’s Veto The website for Kingstree depicts idyllic images of small-town life, with white people sitting on a porch swing, kayaking on a river, eating ice cream, and strolling with their dogs.
    Kff Health News, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Beyoncé dropped the first visuals from her Cowboy Carter album.
    Jessica Wang, EW.com, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Light And Entertaining Content: Like with Gen-Z, focus on short videos and visuals that are easy to understand.
    Boris Abaev, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near illustration

Cite this Entry

“Illustration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustration. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on illustration

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