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
Taxidermy would become the visual medium par excellence illustrating European expansion—one far more accessible to a broader crowd than anything in books, private collections, or even early zoos.
—
Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 18 May 2026
Fox News Digital reporting captures this tense cultural moment, illustrating the mixed public sentiment and skepticism surrounding AI's growing footprint in daily life.
—Staff, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026
The shot of the car hurtling off the cliff is one of cinema’s most enduring images, illustrating unbreakable friendship, victory and freedom.
—Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
An autographed jersey from Bobby Cox still hangs in Freddie Freeman’s Atlanta residence, illustrating the bond between player and former manager.
—Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 10 May 2026
But seven of those absences have come since 2019, illustrating how quickly the trend has accelerated.
—Nicole Kraft, Forbes.com, 9 May 2026
European officials had welcomed Ukraine's unilateral move as a goodwill gesture illustrating its readiness for a peace settlement.
—ABC News, 6 May 2026
Touching the Art also delves into erasure and gaslighting, illustrating the all-too-common silencing that occurs when a family member speaks up about violence or abuse.
—Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
The original design plans for the Resolute Desk are kept by the National Maritime Museum in London, illustrating the vision for the President's Desk.
—Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 18 May 2026
Fox News Digital reporting captures this tense cultural moment, illustrating the mixed public sentiment and skepticism surrounding AI's growing footprint in daily life.
—Staff, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026
The shot of the car hurtling off the cliff is one of cinema’s most enduring images, illustrating unbreakable friendship, victory and freedom.
—Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
An autographed jersey from Bobby Cox still hangs in Freddie Freeman’s Atlanta residence, illustrating the bond between player and former manager.
—Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 10 May 2026
But seven of those absences have come since 2019, illustrating how quickly the trend has accelerated.
—Nicole Kraft, Forbes.com, 9 May 2026
European officials had welcomed Ukraine's unilateral move as a goodwill gesture illustrating its readiness for a peace settlement.
—ABC News, 6 May 2026
Touching the Art also delves into erasure and gaslighting, illustrating the all-too-common silencing that occurs when a family member speaks up about violence or abuse.
—Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
The original design plans for the Resolute Desk are kept by the National Maritime Museum in London, illustrating the vision for the President's Desk.
—Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrating
Verb
-
Compared to standard GPUs, NextSilicon’s Maverick-2 chip adapts its hardware resources to each application at runtime, demonstrating the performance and stability required to qualify for the elite program.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
20 May 2026
-
With emotional story and popular cast demonstrating good on-screen chemistry of complex characters, the movie has good theatrical potential for the local market and prospective to cross borders and resonate not only in Eastern Europe.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
The Sun forms a cazimi with Mercury in Taurus in your 12th House of Reflection, illuminating private thoughts, old patterns, and instincts that have been waiting underneath the noise.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
14 May 2026
-
Del Mar residents could hear noise from construction equipment and see bright lights illuminating work areas at night as part of the ongoing bluffs stabilization effort expected to continue there through mid-2027.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
There will also be a letter to take to their healthcare provider explaining the situation.—
Joe Brandt,
CBS News,
20 May 2026
-
Mathematicians take notice The proof underwent external review by mathematicians who also produced a companion paper explaining the argument and its broader importance.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
Check the facts, ask one clarifying question, and let real information settle your nervous system.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 May 2026
-
Money + Politics Crypto stocks climbed as the Senate Banking Committee advanced a bill clarifying regulatory oversight of the industry, a top legislative priority for the sector that had stalled for months.—
Danielle Chemtob,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illustrating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustrating. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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