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. Confucius:

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

2. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz:

   The questions that have been asked so far in this debate illustrate why the American people don't trust the media, this is not a cage match.

3. Oscar Wilde:

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

4. Jeremy Batstone-Carr:

   The Fed's statement earlier in the week helped to squeeze us higher. But the market doesn't have a high degree of conviction at the moment, the outlook remains one of sub-trend growth and low inflation. The downgrades in Italy illustrate that we're not out of the woods as far as growth is concerned.

5. Eileen Caddy:

   Dwell not on the past. Use it to illustrate a point, then leave it behind. Nothing really matters except what you do now in this instant of time. From this moment onwards you can be an entirely different person, filled with love and understanding, ready with an outstretched hand, uplifted and positive in every thought and deed.