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 Over time, the company has aggregated a combination of destinations, tournaments, leagues and camps, illustrating how physical facilities can anchor a broader participation business rather than function simply as real-estate assets. — Chris Russo, Sportico.com, 24 Oct. 2026 Its report points to independent software maintenance as a way for IT leaders to regain control over software budgets, illustrating its potential bias. — Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 21 Oct. 2026 Prosecutors accused them of using AI to fake voices and images of Vietnamese leaders, illustrating how prosecutions can target political criticism. — Jordi Calvet-Bademunt, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2026 There’s nothing like a crisis for illustrating who’s put in the work to develop strong muscle memory and habits of mind. — Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026 The tongue-in-cheek caption led to the reveal that Beckinsale had gifted the couple the personalized M&Ms before the breakup, illustrating the playful friendship between the two actresses. — Sezin Devi Koehler, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Oct. 2026 In 2025, France TV Distribution organized a major promotional tour in Tokyo for the team, including press conferences and fan meetings, illustrating the exceptional enthusiasm ‘Bright Minds’ generates in Japan. — Ed Meza, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026 But its rebound Thursday helped offset weakness in the AI trade, illustrating how different parts of the market can perform well at different times. — Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026 Chinese media also reported that participating forces were stationed underground during the exercise to protect them from drone attacks, illustrating how persistent aerial surveillance and strike drones are changing battlefield operations. — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrating

Verb

In May 2024, The War Zone examined Chinese state television video showing soldiers taking cover from first-person-view (FPV) drones, using a net-catching projectile, and demonstrating a handheld jammer.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
The rise of self-harm influencers—people for whom demonstrating their distress online has become a source of income and validation—is a terrifying new development.

— Gavin Francis, The New York Review of Books, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of demonstrating

Verb

Bill gave us a big chunk of his time to dig into these issues with him, and the resulting conversation is a really illuminating one.

— Nilay Patel, The Verge, 22 Oct. 2026
Fayet later moved into illustration, illuminating works of poetry and even a book for his grandchildren.

— Julie Coe, Architectural Digest, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of illuminating

Verb

The old boy was perfectly reasonable, explaining the difference between federal reimbursement and state reimbursement, and the speed that agencies move on the different levels.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
As this is a Lynch film, explaining the rest of the plot would be a pointless exercise, but expect plentiful violence, stylish surrealism, and a road movie that’ll shock and delight in equal measure.

— Daisy Jones, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of explaining

Verb

OpenAI’s approach to two of the three results also directly violates a clarifying statement AGMAI issued just a day before they were released by designating specific experts to shepherd the results into the public sphere.

— Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 27 Oct. 2026
Meaning the burn of this loss, the clarifying reality check and the imperative to improve.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of clarifying

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illustrates

illustrating

illustration

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Style

“Illustrating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustrating. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of illustrating

verb

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