What Is Another Way to Say “To Illustrate”?

Looking for synonyms for to illustrate? We’ve got you covered!

Here’s a list of other ways to say to illustrate.

  • To demonstrate
  • To show
  • To depict
  • To represent
  • To explain
  • To elucidate
  • To exemplify
  • To portray
  • To clarify
  • To reveal
  • To exhibit
  • To highlight
  • To outline
  • To delineate
  • To describe
  • To visualize
  • To convey
  • To manifest
  • To sketch
  • To illuminate

Want to learn how to say to illustrate professionally? Keep reading for examples and use cases.

1. To demonstrate

Appropriate for showing how something works or proving something with evidence.
Example: “The scientist will demonstrate the experiment’s procedure during the conference.”

2. To show

Used for making something visible or clear to others.
Example: “The data clearly show the impact of climate change on polar ice caps.”

3. To depict

Suitable for representing or describing something in art or literature.
Example: “The painting depicts a tranquil village scene from the 18th century.”

4. To represent

Appropriate for serving as a symbol or example of something.
Example: “The characters in the novel represent a wide array of societal roles.”

5. To explain

Used when making something clear or understandable through detailed description.
Example: “The manual explains how to set up the device step by step.”

6. To elucidate

Suitable for making something clear; to explain something thoroughly.
Example: “The study aims to elucidate the connection between diet and health.”

7. To exemplify

Appropriate for serving as a typical example or to illustrate by giving an example.
Example: “This case study exemplifies the challenges of urban development.”

8. To portray

Used for describing or depicting someone or something in a certain way.
Example: “The documentary portrays the life of the community in vivid detail.”

9. To clarify

Suitable for making a statement or situation less confused and more clearly comprehensible.
Example: “The spokesperson was asked to clarify the company’s position on the issue.”

10. To reveal

Appropriate for making previously unknown or secret information known.
Example: “The report reveals significant findings about the economic trends.”

11. To exhibit

Used for showing something publicly or displaying certain traits.
Example: “The museum will exhibit artifacts from ancient Greece next month.”

12. To highlight

Suitable for drawing attention to something important or interesting.
Example: “The presentation will highlight the key achievements of the project.”

13. To outline

Appropriate for giving a general description or summary of something.
Example: “The author outlines the main arguments of the book in the preface.”

14. To delineate

Used for describing or portraying something precisely.
Example: “The article delineates the boundaries of the protected wildlife reserve.”

15. To describe

Suitable for giving an account of something in words.
Example: “The brochure describes the tour’s itinerary in great detail.”

16. To visualize

Appropriate for forming a mental image of something.
Example: “The architect asked us to visualize the building as if it were already built.”

17. To convey

Used for communicating or making known something.
Example: “The novel conveys a deep sense of longing and nostalgia.”

18. To manifest

Suitable for displaying or showing a quality or feeling by one’s acts or appearance.
Example: “The leader’s charisma is manifest in his ability to inspire others.”

19. To sketch

Appropriate for making a rough drawing or outline of something.
Example: “The designer will sketch a preliminary layout for the webpage.”

20. To illuminate

Used for lighting something up or making something clear and easier to understand.
Example: “The study illuminates the complexities of the human genome.”

Linda Brown