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
The Kampala cases also illustrate how quickly cross-border transmission can escape notice.
—
Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
Humans and machines Given the massive number of posts on social media every day, our work illustrates how detecting new hate speech requires an interdisciplinary group of researchers working with machines.
—Nathalie Japkowicz, The Conversation, 18 May 2026
And in motorsports, few things illustrate that story better than the evolution of the pit crew.
—Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
The revision illustrates both the strength and weakness of the original 4% rule.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for illustrate
Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
Humans and machines Given the massive number of posts on social media every day, our work illustrates how detecting new hate speech requires an interdisciplinary group of researchers working with machines.
—Nathalie Japkowicz, The Conversation, 18 May 2026
And in motorsports, few things illustrate that story better than the evolution of the pit crew.
—Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
The revision illustrates both the strength and weakness of the original 4% rule.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for illustrate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrate
Verb
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Malo Gusto is athletically capable of being the Frimpong at Chelsea, but has not demonstrated the same level of aptitude in front of goal.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
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The United States has already demonstrated this with export controls on advanced chips, restricting which nations can develop certain AI capabilities.—
David Liberman,
Fortune,
16 May 2026
Verb
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The 1000-page night sits on the outer limit of Clarke’s professional life, but identifying that margin is illuminating.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 May 2026
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The Disney World version of Soarin’ Across America ends with Epcot’s Spaceship Earth attraction illuminated in red, white, and blue and Tinker Bell sprinkling pixie dust on the Florida theme park as patriotic fireworks explode overhead.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
18 May 2026
Verb
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Vrabel, meanwhile, stumbled though multiple press conferences while trying to both avoid and explain the issue without ever really providing details.—
Armando Salguero OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
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This may explain why credit markets barely budged after last week’s spending figures.—
Alaa Shahine Salha,
semafor.com,
14 May 2026
Verb
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The next step is finding a place to meet in the middle and clarify what’s unsaid or unclear on both sides.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
15 May 2026
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Check the facts, ask one clarifying question, and let real information settle your nervous system.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illustrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustrate. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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