Thesaurus results for ILLUSTRATION

Q: How is the word 'illustration' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of illustration are case , example , instance , sample , and specimen . While all these words mean "something that exhibits distinguishing characteristics in its category," illustration applies to an instance offered as a means of clarifying or illuminating a general statement. // a telling illustration of Murphy's Law

Q: Where would 'case' be a reasonable alternative to 'illustration'?

The meanings of case and illustration largely overlap; however, case is used to direct attention to a real or assumed occurrence or situation that is to be considered, studied, or dealt with. // a case of mistaken identity

Q: When could 'example' be used to replace 'illustration'?

In some situations, the words example and illustration are roughly equivalent. However, example applies to a typical, representative, or illustrative instance or case. // a typical example of bureaucratic waste

Q: When would 'instance' be a good substitute for 'illustration'?

While the synonyms instance and illustration are close in meaning, instance applies to any individual person, act, or thing that may be offered to illustrate or explain. // an instance of history repeating itself

Q: In what contexts can 'sample' take the place of 'illustration'?

The words sample and illustration can be used in similar contexts, but sample implies a part or unit taken at random from a larger whole and so presumed to be typical of its qualities. // show us a sample of your work

Q: When might 'specimen' be a better fit than 'illustration'?

While in some cases nearly identical to illustration , specimen applies to any example or sample whether representative or merely existent and available. // one of the finest specimens of the jeweler's art

illustration

noun

ˌi-lə-ˈstrā-shən

Definition of illustration

as in diagram

something that visually explains or decorates a text this book on birds has gorgeous illustrations

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in explanation

a statement that makes something clear forced to give several illustrations until she was understood

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in depiction

a two-dimensional design intended to look like a person or thing the doctor sketched an illustration to explain the procedure to the patient

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in example

one of a group or collection that shows what the whole is like chose one essay as an illustration of the high quality of the collection

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word illustration distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of illustration are case, example, instance, sample, and specimen. While all these words mean "something that exhibits distinguishing characteristics in its category," illustration applies to an instance offered as a means of clarifying or illuminating a general statement.

a telling illustration of Murphy's Law

Where would case be a reasonable alternative to illustration?

The meanings of case and illustration largely overlap; however, case is used to direct attention to a real or assumed occurrence or situation that is to be considered, studied, or dealt with.

a case of mistaken identity

When could example be used to replace illustration?

In some situations, the words example and illustration are roughly equivalent. However, example applies to a typical, representative, or illustrative instance or case.

a typical example of bureaucratic waste

When would instance be a good substitute for illustration?

While the synonyms instance and illustration are close in meaning, instance applies to any individual person, act, or thing that may be offered to illustrate or explain.

an instance of history repeating itself

In what contexts can sample take the place of illustration?

The words sample and illustration can be used in similar contexts, but sample implies a part or unit taken at random from a larger whole and so presumed to be typical of its qualities.

show us a sample of your work

When might specimen be a better fit than illustration?

While in some cases nearly identical to illustration, specimen applies to any example or sample whether representative or merely existent and available.

one of the finest specimens of the jeweler's art

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 illustration Advertisement The Houthi confrontation with Saudi Arabia already offers a grim illustration of how quickly the costs can spread. — Ali Vaez, Time, 21 Oct. 2026 The accompanying box features an illustration of the restaurant set in front of the Eiffel Tower. — Tim Chan, Footwear News, 21 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 In this photo illustration, candidates names for the Miami-Dade County midterm elections appear on a vote-by-mail ballot on September 28, 2026, in Miami, Florida. — Sergio Candido, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for illustration

Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustration

Noun

One reading of Untitled is as a diagram of how desire shapes our perception of one another and of ourselves.

— Shanti Escalante-De Mattei, ARTnews.com, 26 Oct. 2026
The reconstruction was made trickier, however, by the fact that the crew weren’t allowed to take photographs inside Downing Street and there aren’t diagrams online.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of diagram

Noun

The likelier explanation, Seth said, is that the models have absorbed a great deal of information about how humans describe and respond to pain and are reproducing it.

— Shae Lake, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
When two upcoming shows in Chicago were canceled without explanation, Hall released a statement.

— Jack Denton, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of explanation

Noun

Labeled by the press as a farmer and his wife, the depiction of the couple found detractors in both Iowans and art critics.

— Kelly Presutti, ARTnews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
So the ability for people to make visual depictions and reach towards cinematic success became more palpable or more accessible.

— Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of depiction

Noun

The world’s highest-profile tech billionaires offer the most conspicuous examples.

— Molly A. Wallace, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
One particularly promising example is an MRI technique that identifies the central vein sign, a feature that can help physicians distinguish lesions associated with MS from abnormalities caused by other conditions.

— Bruce Bebo, STAT, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of example

Noun

The Knight’s Tale children’s department will offer a playful interpretation of the British home, inspired by medieval castles and courts.

— Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 26 Oct. 2026
But the agent then inherits whatever semantics each system exposes, which is often very little, and fills the gaps with its own interpretation.

— Felix Liao, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of interpretation

Noun

Aljafari is recognized for his distinctive cinematic practice exploring memory, history, identity and the politics of images.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 26 Oct. 2026
Rather than embrace the provocative image associated with some of her early roles, Portman maintained a more reserved public image.

— Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of image

Noun

Pzaz, a monthly subscription service, provides creatives the opportunity to create storyboards and visuals of their ideas in minutes using a proprietary AI system.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2026
But with the song’s breezy comedown, the visuals transition back to New York City, where Rocky’s been hanging on a stoop the whole time.

— Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of visual

Browse Nearby Words

illustrating

illustration

illustrational

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Illustration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustration. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of illustration

noun

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Example Sentences

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