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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of illustrate
This comes partly from illustrating what can happen to a neighboring country that takes an overtly anti-Moscow path.
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Fred Weir, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 Nov. 2024
The book, Legacy of Lies, El Salvador 1981-1984, illustrates with black-and-white photographs and descriptive personal essays how U.S. foreign policy played out and fueled a violent 13-year civil war in El Salvador.
—Robert Nickelsberg, NPR, 24 Nov. 2024
The aftermath of Israel’s 1982 invasion illustrates another stark fact: permanently weakening or even defeating an organization can give rise to new ones.
—Sarah E. Parkinson, Foreign Affairs, 11 Nov. 2024
Indeed, across social media on Wednesday, people were hoping — praying, even — that these ominous, panic-inducing spam messages might finally end, posting pictures of thoughtful politicians, or even excited Oprahs, to illustrate the point.
—David MacK, Rolling Stone, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for illustrate 
Fred Weir, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 Nov. 2024
The book, Legacy of Lies, El Salvador 1981-1984, illustrates with black-and-white photographs and descriptive personal essays how U.S. foreign policy played out and fueled a violent 13-year civil war in El Salvador.
—Robert Nickelsberg, NPR, 24 Nov. 2024
The aftermath of Israel’s 1982 invasion illustrates another stark fact: permanently weakening or even defeating an organization can give rise to new ones.
—Sarah E. Parkinson, Foreign Affairs, 11 Nov. 2024
Indeed, across social media on Wednesday, people were hoping — praying, even — that these ominous, panic-inducing spam messages might finally end, posting pictures of thoughtful politicians, or even excited Oprahs, to illustrate the point.
—David MacK, Rolling Stone, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for illustrate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrate
Verb
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Over the course of the last few weeks, the royal demonstrated her proclivity for adaptable fashion.Julia Teti, WWD, 20 Nov. 2024
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President Biden’s trip to the Amazon demonstrates a U.S. commitment to the clean energy revolution, which Biden has fostered during his term.Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 20 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Kingsolver’s speech was a testament to the power of writers as disrupters who can illuminate injustices and uncomfortable pressure points through literature.Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 21 Nov. 2024
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In the main entry hall, illuminated by Art Nouveau sconces and a Wiener Werkstatte chandelier by Woka, Helgerson designed a lacquered green table to echo the front door.David Foxley, Architectural Digest, 20 Nov. 2024
Verb
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More:Operation Lone Star explained: What's happening in Eagle Pass, Texas?John C. Moritz, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
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And, as a clinical social worker explains this morning, the problem is only getting worse.Joanna Allhands, The Arizona Republic, 22 Nov. 2024
Verb
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The document that came out today clarified both the above concerns.Simi Thambi, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
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Editor's note: This story has been updated to clarify that the 2024 figures use the state's diversity definitions and the previous years' use federal definitions.Asher Price, Axios, 18 Nov. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Illustrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustrate. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.
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