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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of illustrates
The situation illustrates how decades after the devastating 1990s wars in the former Yugoslavia, the region lags behind the rest of Europe both economically and with regard to environmental protection.
—
Eldar Emric, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Altman’s frustration perfectly illustrates how AI companies have driven themselves into a corner.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 5 Feb. 2026
The dust-up over Hall’s nomination also illustrates Kansas City’s unusual lack of control over police operations.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 5 Feb. 2026
But Moltbook illustrates how hazy that vision really is.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2026
India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi illustrates how constitutional authoritarianism can be fused with majoritarian identity rather than relying solely on executive prerogative.
—Alejandro Reyes, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026
The same moment, though, illustrates just how curated the day was.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 3 Feb. 2026
Decades of research illustrates this dynamic.
—Sothy Eng, The Conversation, 2 Feb. 2026
Sanders threatening football players with monetary fines for failing to report to work illustrates his control as coach.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Eldar Emric, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Altman’s frustration perfectly illustrates how AI companies have driven themselves into a corner.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 5 Feb. 2026
The dust-up over Hall’s nomination also illustrates Kansas City’s unusual lack of control over police operations.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 5 Feb. 2026
But Moltbook illustrates how hazy that vision really is.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2026
India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi illustrates how constitutional authoritarianism can be fused with majoritarian identity rather than relying solely on executive prerogative.
—Alejandro Reyes, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026
The same moment, though, illustrates just how curated the day was.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 3 Feb. 2026
Decades of research illustrates this dynamic.
—Sothy Eng, The Conversation, 2 Feb. 2026
Sanders threatening football players with monetary fines for failing to report to work illustrates his control as coach.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrates
Verb
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Many ideas that were rejected in the past receive new life upon a surprising new observation; many ideas that are accepted today will be overthrown when a key experimental result demonstrates its insufficiency.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
10 Feb. 2026
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Securing the supply chain for these demonstrates Terra Innovatum’s manufacturing and deployment readiness.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This Leo Full Moon illuminates confidence, creativity, leadership, and the desire to be seen.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
25 Jan. 2026
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Amid the chronological retelling of anecdotes and landmark events in Valdez’s storied career, Alvarado also illuminates the elderly master’s personal wounds.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Harvard Professor Carla Martin explains how cacao transformed from a sacred drink into a Valentine’s Day staple — and how history, marketing and chemistry helped give chocolate its emotional power.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Athletes are tested for substances as part of the Monitoring Program during regular doping checks in order to gather data on usage, Fitzgerald explains.—
Emily Kay Votruba,
EverydayHealth.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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One of Preston’s students, Jason Brown, exemplifies the kind of figure skating that the quad era threatens to squash.—
Allison Parshall,
Scientific American,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The Dow's latest milestone exemplifies how stock investors have continued climbing walls of worry.—
Alex Harring,Nick Wells,
CNBC,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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At the video's end, the man clarifies that the cold-blooded iguanas are not dead, but rather in brumation — reptiles' version of hibernation.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
3 Feb. 2026
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The bill amends the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Patient Protection Act and the Medical Cannabis Regulation Act, harmonizes tax and enforcement provisions, and clarifies how cannabis will be treated across state codes.—
Alonzo Martinez,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illustrates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustrates. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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