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
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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
How the Kerrville, Texas, flood gauge jumped on July 4
The suddenness of the disaster at Camp Mystic is starkly illustrated by data from a gauge on the Guadalupe River near Kerrville.
—
Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 7 July 2025
Only Bournemouth, Newcastle and Liverpool won the ball more often outside their own defensive third than Arteta’s side last season, but as the graph below illustrates, only 6.7 per cent of those resulted in a shot within 10 seconds, the third-lowest rate in the division.
—Thom Harris, New York Times, 7 July 2025
But the quest for ideological purity is present with Democrats as well, something illustrated by critiques of Senator John Fetterman and efforts by former co-vice chair of the Democratic Party David Hogg to support left-wing candidates in primary challenges against moderates.
—Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 7 July 2025
The street-level museum includes a theater and giant screen that illustrates how the 1930 building, designed by Holabird & Root and for decades Chicago’s tallest, rose on the site of the original trading exchange.
—Brian J. Rogal, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for illustrate
Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 7 July 2025
Only Bournemouth, Newcastle and Liverpool won the ball more often outside their own defensive third than Arteta’s side last season, but as the graph below illustrates, only 6.7 per cent of those resulted in a shot within 10 seconds, the third-lowest rate in the division.
—Thom Harris, New York Times, 7 July 2025
But the quest for ideological purity is present with Democrats as well, something illustrated by critiques of Senator John Fetterman and efforts by former co-vice chair of the Democratic Party David Hogg to support left-wing candidates in primary challenges against moderates.
—Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 7 July 2025
The street-level museum includes a theater and giant screen that illustrates how the 1930 building, designed by Holabird & Root and for decades Chicago’s tallest, rose on the site of the original trading exchange.
—Brian J. Rogal, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for illustrate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrate
Verb
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These weren't amateur attempts at gaming the system — they were carefully crafted prompt injections that demonstrated deep understanding of how AI systems process text and respond to instructions.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
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Given to the forward who demonstrates throughout the season the most skill in the defensive component of the game.—
The Athletic NHL Staff,
New York Times,
12 July 2025
Verb
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Just as Baldwin illuminated Douglass’s historical critique, Ta-Nehisi Coates has extended this analysis to contemporary America.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
4 July 2025
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Nights are now the shortest, and the time that a satellite in low Earth orbit (like the ISS and Tiangong) can remain illuminated by the sun can extend throughout the night, a situation that can never be attained during other times of the year.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
3 July 2025
Verb
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Another royal source explained that layoffs were inevitable for the former royal family members.—
Lissete Lanuza Sáenz,
StyleCaster,
13 July 2025
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The woman explained the extensive interviewing process as well as her concerns with pursuing the opportunity on the community forum Mumsnet.—
Brian Anthony Hernandez,
People.com,
13 July 2025
Verb
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Based on this research, the company hypothesized about what the issues are that give people trouble with these terms and concepts, though many such searches also could be conducted to clarify details or derive more information.—
Russ Wiles,
USA Today,
12 July 2025
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Casas has emphasized that the new agreement is primarily about clarifying responsibilities, not about radically changing the department’s behavior.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
12 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illustrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustrate. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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