ILLUSTRATE Synonyms: 60 Similar and Opposite Words

illustrate

verb

ˈi-lə-ˌstrāt

Definition of illustrate

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of illustrate Egypt and Iraq illustrate how changing social values can reshape politics in different ways. — Mansoor Moaddel, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026 This map illustrates where drought conditions may, or may not, change during the upcoming winter. — Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026 Recent reporting illustrates how these pressures can compound. — Shannon Hynds, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026 The targeting of civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, particularly airports, illustrates the retaliatory logic the Houthis have invoked to justify their actions. — Laurent Bonnefoy, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for illustrate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrate

Verb

The improvement demonstrates how low-noise lasers and high-quality optical resonators can increase rotation sensitivity on a photonic chip.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026
Their accounts demonstrate how AI is blurring the line between what's real and what's fake in the already fraught arena of online dating.

— Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of demonstrate

Verb

The book covers an enormous chunk of British screen history (1896 to 2001), with each chapter uncovering and illuminating the careers of early Black screen pioneers.

— Zac Ntim, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026
Dinner was served family-style at two long tables illuminated by hundreds of candles.

— Alexandra Macon, Vogue, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of illuminate

Verb

An elephantine star becoming a black hole doesn’t explain it either.

— Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Maybe this explains why Effective Altruism—the idea that generosity should be subjected to evidence and calculation—seemed counterintuitive.

— David Miliband, Time, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of explain

Browse Nearby Words

illusory

illustrate

illustrated

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Style

“Illustrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustrate. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of illustrate

verb

Example Sentences

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