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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 Parton graced the cover of Warhol’s Interview magazine twice, making her debut with the July 1984 issue illustrated in signature style. — Hikmat Mohammed, ARTnews.com, 26 Aug. 2026 This comic was reported and written by Andee Tagle and illustrated by LA Johnson. — Andee Tagle, NPR, 26 Aug. 2026 Portland’s Dignity Village Dignity Village in Portland, Oregon, illustrates what this bottom-up response looks like. — Brandon Marc Finn, The Conversation, 26 Aug. 2026 Feasting on neutrality Few illustrate the current bind better than Caitlin Clark. — Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for illustrate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrate

Verb

The South Korean auteur has directed six movies since 1997, each one demonstrating his literary sensibilities and keen eye for capturing human despair.

— Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 26 Aug. 2026
The next step is demonstrating consistent color removal and fiber-quality retention at larger scale, with chemical consumption, wastewater quality and process control among the principal scale-up considerations.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of demonstrate

Verb

During these windows, sunlight illuminates the rocket's expanding exhaust plume while the sky itself remains mostly dark.

— Mike Wall, Space.com, 26 Aug. 2026
As a result, most of the Sturgeon Moon could deepen into muted shades of copper, rust and brown, while a slim silver edge remains illuminated by direct sunlight.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of illuminate

Verb

One of the questions, directed to David Hunt, director of finance for Entergy Arkansas, asks him to explain the reasoning for the classification of the payments.

— Sydney Sasser, Arkansas Online, 1 Sep. 2026
Bernadette explains the racial nuances the Guardians might not know as newcomers to Earth, echoing the landmark 1971 Green Lantern/Green Arrow comic series, which attempts to bring the space cops down to Earth by exposing them to racial strife.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of explain

Verb

In a statement, an Axel Springer spokesperson clarified that The Circuit was technically incorporated in the US, with staff located around the world.

— Max Tani, semafor.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Pabst also originally posted that a truck was stolen, though company officials later clarified no vehicle went missing.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of clarify

Browse Nearby Words

illusory

illustrate

illustrated

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Illustrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustrate. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of illustrate

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dissonant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes