1
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
2
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
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3
as in to explain
to make plain or understandable
the recent devastating fire illustrates the need for improved safety codes
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of illustrate
More than 30 years after illustrating Norton Juster's cult kids' book, Feiffer returned to the genre as an author, with books like 1993's The Man in the Ceiling (eventually adapted into a musical with Tony Award-winning producer Jeffrey Seller) and his 2010 re-teaming with Juster, The Odious Ogre.
—
Etelka Lehoczky, NPR, 21 Jan. 2025
The moment sharply illustrated the unusual partnership the billionaire tech titan, who has lucrative contracts with the federal government, has established with the incoming president.
—Thomas Beaumont, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2025
Inauguration news coverage illustrates differences that pull country apart
A presidential inauguration is traditionally a symbol of the traditions that bind Americans together.
—Aris Folley, The Hill, 20 Jan. 2025
The long history of the Fighting Irish illustrates the way faith and football can aid assimilation, strengthen community, and evangelize non-believers.
—Hunter M. Hampton / Made By History, TIME, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for illustrate 
Etelka Lehoczky, NPR, 21 Jan. 2025
The moment sharply illustrated the unusual partnership the billionaire tech titan, who has lucrative contracts with the federal government, has established with the incoming president.
—Thomas Beaumont, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2025
Inauguration news coverage illustrates differences that pull country apart
A presidential inauguration is traditionally a symbol of the traditions that bind Americans together.
—Aris Folley, The Hill, 20 Jan. 2025
The long history of the Fighting Irish illustrates the way faith and football can aid assimilation, strengthen community, and evangelize non-believers.
—Hunter M. Hampton / Made By History, TIME, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for illustrate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrate
Verb
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His involvement with the Uniform Intermodal Interchange and Facilities Access Agreement further demonstrates his commitment to advancing efficiency and innovation in the industry.—
Chris Gallagher,
USA TODAY,
25 Jan. 2025
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Despite these challenges, the Texans' strong playoff run—despite falling short in the divisional round to Kansas City—demonstrated that the team is close to competing at a higher level.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
25 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Inflatable boats have been launched and first responders set up light towers from the shore to illuminate the area near the crash site.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
30 Jan. 2025
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Often the prisoners stand in the window holding their phones, so their faces are illuminated.—
Anne Thompson,
IndieWire,
29 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Now, in a small hospital where soft sobs echoed off the sterile linoleum floors, Aaron Easton, the boy Sara married who grew up to be Marysville’s police chief, explained what happened: Sara had shot herself in the head.—
Ariane Lange,
Sacramento Bee,
26 Jan. 2025
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But money alone doesn’t explain the absence of conscience.—
Todd L. Pittinsky,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Zelenskyy did not clarify whether humanitarian aid had been paused.—
SAMYA KULLAB,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Jan. 2025
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Justice Gorsuch, concurring with the decision to grant the stay, proposed that the Supreme Court should clarify whether district courts have the authority to issue universal injunctive relief.—
Matthew F. Erskine,
Forbes,
24 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near illustrate
Cite this Entry
“Illustrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustrate. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.
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