Synonyms for illustrate
ˈɪl əˌstreɪt, ɪˈlʌs treɪtil·lus·trate

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:1.5 / 2 votes

1. illustrate

   To embellish is to brighten and enliven by adding something that is not necessarily or very closely connected with that to which it is added; to illustrate is to add something so far like in kind as to cast a side-light upon the principal matter. An author embellishes his narrative with fine descriptions, the artist illustrates it with beautiful engravings, the binder gilds and decorates the volume. Garnish is on a lower plane; as, the feast was garnished with flowers. Deck and bedeck are commonly said of apparel; as, a mother bedecks her daughter with silk and jewels. To adorn and to ornament alike signify to add that which makes anything beautiful and attractive, but ornament is more exclusively on the material plane; as, the gateway was ornamented with delicate carving. Adorn is more lofty and spiritual, referring to a beauty which is not material, and can not be put on by ornaments or decorations, but seems in perfect harmony and unity with that to which it adds a grace; if we say, the gateway was adorned with beautiful carving, we imply a unity and loftiness of design such as ornamented can not express. We say of some admirable scholar or statesman, "he touched nothing that he did not adorn."

   At church, with meek and unaffected grace,
   His looks adorned the venerable place.
   

   Goldsmith Deserted Village, l. 178.

   Synonyms:
   adorn, beautify, bedeck, deck, decorate, embellish, garnish, gild, ornament

   Antonyms:
   deface, deform, disfigure, mar, spoil

   Preposition:
   Adorn his temples with a coronet.

Complete Dictionary of Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:3.0 / 2 votes

1. illustrate

   Synonyms:
   elucidate, interpret, exemplify, demonstrate, represent, explain, embody, paint, image, make clear

   Antonyms:
   obscure, misinterpret, mystify, confuse, misrepresent, darken

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:5.0 / 1 vote

1. exemplify, illustrate, instanceverb

   clarify by giving an example of

   Synonyms:
   represent, instance, exemplify

2. illustrateverb

   depict with an illustration

   Synonyms:
   exemplify, instance

3. illustrateverb

   supply with illustrations

   "illustrate a book with drawings"

   Synonyms:
   exemplify, instance

Matched Categories

1. • Art
   • Decorate
   • Elaborate
   • Picture

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. illustrateverb

   Synonyms:
   elucidate, explain, exemplify, make clear, make plain, throw light upon

2. illustrateverb

   Synonyms:
   adorn with pictures

Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated WordsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. illustrateverb

   Synonyms:
   elucidate, picture, demonstrate, exemplify

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:5.0 / 1 vote

1. List of paraphrases for "illustrate":

   exemplify, show, demonstrate, depict, portray, reflect, indicate, highlight

How to pronounce illustrate?

How to say illustrate in sign language?

Words popularity by usage frequency

How to use illustrate in a sentence?

1. Esther Sung:

   We wanted to illustrate how these programs are being used by ordinary Americans in the United States, all of these programs, I think, are pretty unique in modern day immigration policy in that they allow the American public to interact with the immigration system in a way that people otherwise would n’t. I think our intervenors demonstrate the breadth and range of types of people who can and want to engage with the immigration system.

2. Confucius:

   What the great learning teaches, is to illustrate illustrious virtue; to renovate the people; and to rest in the highest excellence.

3. Marion County:

   I think it's important to note that this case does illustrate some of the shortcomings that exist with this red flag law, the sad reality is that during the pendency of these matters there's nothing prohibiting someone from purchasing a firearm, that's just the sad truth.

4. Oscar Wilde:

   At twilight, nature is not without loveliness, though perhaps its chief use is to illustrate quotations from the poets.

5. Hao Zhou:

   To cope with this risk, monetary policy could illustrate further easing bias. For the FX market, risk-off mode is likely to dominate for the time being.