ILLUSTRATING Synonyms: 60 Similar and Opposite Words

illustrating

verb

present participle of illustrate

as in demonstrating

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 illuminating

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 explaining

to make plain or understandable the recent devastating fire illustrates the need for improved safety codes

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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 illustrating But Wright’s case is also illustrating why the NCAA’s argument about amateurism is becoming harder to square with the economics of the modern college engine. — Joshua Hong, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026 In recent years, Unite Here Local 11 has filed numerous complaints over the Inglewood facility, claiming various wage and health issues, illustrating a bitter battle over movement at the bargaining table. — Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026 At home several center-right parties initially declined to join his coalition, illustrating the challenge of uniting the broader Brazilian right behind his candidacy. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Aug. 2026 The stories emerging from this work are already illustrating how creative engagement impacts both mental and physical health. — Grant Oliphant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026 Koontz, who is famously devoted to his dogs, delivers a book of nail-biting suspense that’s packed with emotion, illustrating how an expert blends genres. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 20 Aug. 2026 The crossing of the $30 trillion mark only dates back to January 2022, illustrating the rapid growth in federal borrowing needs. — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026 The Republican National Committee, National Republican Congressional Committee and the Missouri Republican State Committee intervened in the case, illustrating the national implications of the map. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 19 Aug. 2026 Barker is also a visual artist, often illustrating his own books. — Mya Copeland, Variety, 18 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrating

Verb

The next milestone will be moving beyond individual production lines and demonstrating that waste plastic-to-SAF systems can operate reliably, economically and at a scale to become a meaningful source of aviation fuel.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
McKenzie Wilson of Blue Rose Research, a Democratic data firm, said voters have called for sweeping changes in response to economic discontent, demonstrating a level of anger not seen in years.

— Nicholas Riccardi, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of demonstrating

Verb

If illness shows how memory can be lost, a parallel line of discovery is illuminating how it is built in the first place.

— Andrea Gawrylewski, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2026
The Wall Street Journal's Jason Zweig, who has a comprehensive grasp of financial history and a deft touch for illuminating it, explores the echoes here.

— Michael Santoli, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of illuminating

Verb

Before explaining what the technology can do, understand what the customer is trying to accomplish.

— William Arruda, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
In the Situational Awareness fund move, Griffin sent investors a letter explaining Citadel’s stock actions with the AI company.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of explaining

Verb

The work required clarifying roles and responsibilities, addressing internal conflict, establishing accountability and consistently tracking commitments.

— Jason Bork, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
All three projects will collectively contribute to better measurements of how cosmic structure is changing over time—crucial information for clarifying the nature of dark energy and dark matter in the universe’s evolution.

— Lee Billings, Scientific American, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of clarifying

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illustrates

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

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Synonyms of illustrating

verb

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