illustrations

noun

plural of illustration
1
as in diagrams
something that visually explains or decorates a text this book on birds has gorgeous illustrations

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2
as in explanations
a statement that makes something clear forced to give several illustrations until she was understood

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3
as in pictures
a two-dimensional design intended to look like a person or thing the doctor sketched an illustration to explain the procedure to the patient

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4
as in examples
one of a group or collection that shows what the whole is like chose one essay as an illustration of the high quality of the collection

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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 illustrations The 300,000-square-foot Lucas Museum of Narrative Art contains 100,000 square feet of gallery space with 35 galleries organized according to theme, including adventure, motherhood, community, children’s illustrations, manga and comics. — Brittany Levine Beckman, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026 Their Dogtown series of middle grade novels is perfect for kids who appreciate short chapters and fun illustrations. — Caroline Carlson, Literary Hub, 1 Sep. 2026 Written by Colin Meloy, best known as the frontman of the band The Decemberists, the book featured illustrations from his wife and children’s book illustrator, Carson Ellis. — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 19 Aug. 2026 Each volume is accompanied by black-and-white illustrations, poetry and new cover artwork. — Mya Copeland, Variety, 18 Aug. 2026 Narrative art that tells a story has appeared in many forms, from cave drawings and hieroglyphics to paintings, murals, illustrations, comics, and sculpture. — Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 Markets, Clothing, and Craft Traditions Adapt Without Disappearing One of the best illustrations of the coexistence of past traditions and modern needs is Egypt’s souks. — Kaitlyn Gomez, Charlotte Observer, 17 Aug. 2026 Hanlon’s whimsical illustrations are drawn as a brilliant child might create them. — Liz Rosenberg, The Conversation, 14 Aug. 2026 Eight illustrations by the French artist that were stolen from a library in São Paulo, Brazil, last year were recovered on Thursday. — CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrations
  1. diagrams
  2. explanations
  3. pictures
  4. examples
  5. graphics
  6. interpretations
  7. depictions
  8. figures
Noun
  • Rich Dad, Poor Dad is a hodgepodge of financial advice and confusing diagrams held together by anecdotes from Kiyosaki’s childhood.
    — Christopher Cox, Vanity Fair, 26 Aug. 2026
  • But then the control experiment was give the questions without showing the diagrams.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of diagrams
Noun
  • Still other explanations presume that the gods’ artistic representations in ritual settings are the basis of the meaning of their multiform appearances.
    — Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
  • At times, his psychological explanations may seem almost too orderly for a woman who lived so exuberantly in disorder.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of explanations
Noun
  • Starting in the 1930s, as talking pictures and then radio and TV supplanted theater as the prime form of mass entertainment, some were converted to cinemas.
    — Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 3 Sep. 2026
  • And, apparently, the eerie pictures are turning people's stomachs.
    — Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of pictures
Noun
  • Silvester’s concept became the Falcon Study, a new interpretation of the original developed by his San Diego start-up Q7 Yacht Designs, with naval architecture by Dutch firm Dykstra, known for its work on the series of nascent J-Class examples.
    — Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 30 Aug. 2026
  • There are already examples in other sports of athletes moving between professional and college systems without producing the same alarm.
    — Joshua Hong, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of examples
Noun
  • The distinctly Finnish Marimekko In Finland, bold graphics have become the trademark of Marimekko, the company whose fabrics, housewares and fashions have been adding vibrant colors and design to the world for 75 years.
    — David Morgan, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The class also requires students to design, analyze and render complex 2D and 3D graphics, modeling, texturing, lighting and animation across multiple styles of video games.
    — Cam'ron Hardy, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of graphics
Noun
  • Under certain interpretations of the 1963 rule, courts are not allowed to weigh whether a merger might make competition stronger overall.
    — Shubha Ghosh, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Different interpretations can lead to vastly different decisions, behaviors and eventual outcomes.
    — Esther K. Choy, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of interpretations
Noun
  • The patent includes several depictions that closely resemble its current offerings.
    — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Under each of their names are depictions of their respective childhood homes.
    — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of depictions
Noun
  • But Jarmond later worked with a search committee that included prominent UCLA figures Bob Myers, Adam Peters and Casey Wasserman on the hiring of Bob Chesney, who quickly injected hope and optimism into the football program.
    — Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The backlash went beyond online and reached political figures like New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin, who sent The Met committee a letter urging them to reconsider honoring Galliano.
    — Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of figures

Browse Nearby Words

illustrational
illustrations
illustrative
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Cite this Entry

“Illustrations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustrations. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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