1
as in demonstrating
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 illuminating
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 explaining
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 illustrating
The house later became part of a much larger strategic play, illustrating his approach to dealmaking.
—
Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 3 Apr. 2026
The war in Iran and bottleneck in the Strait of Hormuz is further illustrating the need to integrate newer tools into modern warfare.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2026
The oldest surviving fragments of calico are from the 15th century and were found in al-Fusṭāṭ, a neighborhood of Cairo, illustrating the extent of the trade in this fabric and style.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026
The Easter scene depicts a central moment in Christianity, illustrating the belief that Jesus rose from the dead after being buried in a tomb following his crucifixion.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
The last Ag Reserve snapshot illustrating the breakdown is from 2023, which county officials recently presented during a 2025 meeting.
—Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2026
One of Mexico’s largest retailers is laying off workers in its fintech startup while scaling back its ambitions — illustrating the difficulty of establishing a foothold in the nation’s increasingly competitive financial system.
—Amy Stillman, Bloomberg, 20 Mar. 2026
Today, that number has grown to more than 400 kits, illustrating how serious an issue hygiene insecurity has become.
—John Garrahan, The Providence Journal, 19 Mar. 2026
Mahan and Villaraigosa are the only two Democrats who have publicly called to roll back regulations on the state’s oil and gas market, illustrating the political murkiness at the nexus of California’s climate and affordability challenges.
—Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026
Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 3 Apr. 2026
The war in Iran and bottleneck in the Strait of Hormuz is further illustrating the need to integrate newer tools into modern warfare.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2026
The oldest surviving fragments of calico are from the 15th century and were found in al-Fusṭāṭ, a neighborhood of Cairo, illustrating the extent of the trade in this fabric and style.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026
The Easter scene depicts a central moment in Christianity, illustrating the belief that Jesus rose from the dead after being buried in a tomb following his crucifixion.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
The last Ag Reserve snapshot illustrating the breakdown is from 2023, which county officials recently presented during a 2025 meeting.
—Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2026
One of Mexico’s largest retailers is laying off workers in its fintech startup while scaling back its ambitions — illustrating the difficulty of establishing a foothold in the nation’s increasingly competitive financial system.
—Amy Stillman, Bloomberg, 20 Mar. 2026
Today, that number has grown to more than 400 kits, illustrating how serious an issue hygiene insecurity has become.
—John Garrahan, The Providence Journal, 19 Mar. 2026
Mahan and Villaraigosa are the only two Democrats who have publicly called to roll back regulations on the state’s oil and gas market, illustrating the political murkiness at the nexus of California’s climate and affordability challenges.
—Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrating
Verb
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If a property is flagged, farmers may challenge the designation by demonstrating that the deforestation was legal.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Despite the promising development, a string of other restaurants and businesses have been left out, demonstrating deeper challenges for the corridor in the long term.—
Angela Osorio,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Tensions begin to rise early in the month with the full moon in Libra on April 1, illuminating the imbalances in our relationships and commitments while urging us to acknowledge where our ability to compromise has turned into resentment.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Emergency lights shone from rescue boats, illuminating the windows.—
Brit McCandless Farmer,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Both Miller and Martinez shared a similar sentiment, explaining that business owners need to be ready to network and create a social media strategy.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The proposal does not include a summary explaining the purpose of the observance, and no additional details have been published outlining how the dates would be calculated beyond the language in the bill text.—
Sam Stevenson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
After an overly mopey Season 1, letting our series lead actually take pleasure in a life that most people can only dream about is a smart shift, but Tropper also gives Coop two distinct, disparate, and clarifying obstacles.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
2 Apr. 2026
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Taryn Manning is clarifying an incident captured on video, and making accusations against the woman at the center of it all.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illustrating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustrating. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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