1
as in demonstrates
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 illuminates
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 explains
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 illustrates
The anecdote also illustrates a leadership philosophy Weeks has maintained throughout his tenure.
—
Dave Smith, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2025
Pacific transit route The family’s experience illustrates how Ecuador has become a critical route in the cocaine trade.
—David Culver, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
However, beyond the role individuals can play, the report illustrates that public and private institutions can do more to cover their blind spots and help people prepare for a vital 100-year life.
—Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 22 Oct. 2025
The shoe swap illustrates the growing trend of brides forgoing stiletto heels, and instead, reaching for sneakers and comfortable shoes for their big day—continuing the modern bridal traditions that prioritize comfort above all else.
—Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2025
The study, which was done in living yeast cells and human cell lines, illustrates how proteins act collectively by forming a crystal that gathers caspases together to activate the cell death program and enable the cell to make a rapid life-or-death decision.
—Viviane Callier, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2025
There’s another snap that illustrates a similar story, similarly worth our examination.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2025
Gatsby simply couldn’t have existed without Long Island, and the prominence of the novel’s location was noted from the day of publication, as Anne Margaret Daniel illustrates in her article on the author and his relationship with the New Yorker magazine.
—JSTOR Daily, 18 Oct. 2025
The footage illustrates the easy trust and solidarity among the various parents, who appeared to have a tacit agreement that the neighborhood more or less belonged to the kids.
—Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2025
Dave Smith, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2025
Pacific transit route The family’s experience illustrates how Ecuador has become a critical route in the cocaine trade.
—David Culver, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
However, beyond the role individuals can play, the report illustrates that public and private institutions can do more to cover their blind spots and help people prepare for a vital 100-year life.
—Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 22 Oct. 2025
The shoe swap illustrates the growing trend of brides forgoing stiletto heels, and instead, reaching for sneakers and comfortable shoes for their big day—continuing the modern bridal traditions that prioritize comfort above all else.
—Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2025
The study, which was done in living yeast cells and human cell lines, illustrates how proteins act collectively by forming a crystal that gathers caspases together to activate the cell death program and enable the cell to make a rapid life-or-death decision.
—Viviane Callier, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2025
There’s another snap that illustrates a similar story, similarly worth our examination.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2025
Gatsby simply couldn’t have existed without Long Island, and the prominence of the novel’s location was noted from the day of publication, as Anne Margaret Daniel illustrates in her article on the author and his relationship with the New Yorker magazine.
—JSTOR Daily, 18 Oct. 2025
The footage illustrates the easy trust and solidarity among the various parents, who appeared to have a tacit agreement that the neighborhood more or less belonged to the kids.
—Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrates
Verb
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Chenhao Hu, a doctoral student at Penn Engineering and the study’s first author, said the coral’s skeleton demonstrates how nature can create materials with remarkable adaptability, which could inspire new technologies for human use.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Mercedez is an outstanding student who demonstrates strong academic dedication alongside her extracurricular commitments.—
Erick Trevino,
AZCentral.com,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Starting in November, the Festival of Trees illuminates the space with a forest of evergreens, each individually decorated by local contributors.—
Symiah Dorsey,
Southern Living,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Scorpio season illuminates the balance of power and depth in your closest connections.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The canal connected increasingly specialized regions in the early US, explains historian Roger Ransom.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
26 Oct. 2025
-
The fact that only 24 examples of the Torpedo exist—each with distinctive hull colors, fabrics, and leathers—explains the brand’s heirloom appeal.—
Michael Verdon,
Robb Report,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The state of play in restaurant stocks, in particular, exemplifies the shortcomings of a purely top-down view.—
Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Zane Carson Carruth’s journey exemplifies this transformation.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The announcement clarifies Bordeaux's return to active wrestling following her WWE exit.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Proposition 411 clarifies the city manager’s role.—
Maritza Dominguez,
AZCentral.com,
4 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illustrates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustrates. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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