demonstrate

[ dem-uhn-streyt ]

/ ˈdɛm ənˌstreɪt /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR demonstrate ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), dem·on·strat·ed, dem·on·strat·ing.

to make evident or establish by arguments or reasoning; prove: to demonstrate a philosophical principle.

to describe, explain, or illustrate by examples, specimens, experiments, or the like: to demonstrate the force of gravity by dropping an object.

to manifest or exhibit; show: He demonstrated his courage by his actions in battle.

to display openly or publicly, as feelings: to demonstrate one's anger by slamming a door.

to exhibit the operation or use of (a device, process, product, or the like), usually to a purchaser or prospect: to demonstrate an automobile.

verb (used without object), dem·on·strat·ed, dem·on·strat·ing.

to make, give, or take part in, a demonstration: The pickets required a license to demonstrate.

Military. to attack or make a show of force to deceive an enemy.

Nearby words

Origin of demonstrate

1545–55; < Latin dēmonstrātus, past participle of dēmonstrāre to show, point out, equivalent to dē- de- + monstrāre to show, verbal derivative of monstrum sign, portent

SYNONYMS FOR demonstrate

1. show, confirm, verify, corroborate.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR demonstrate ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

dem·on·strat·ed·ly, adverbcoun·ter·dem·on·strate, verb (used without object), coun·ter·dem·on·strat·ed, coun·ter·dem·on·strat·ing.pre·dem·on·strate, verb (used with object), pre·dem·on·strat·ed, pre·dem·on·strat·ing.re·dem·on·strate, verb, re·dem·on·strat·ed, re·dem·on·strat·ing.

sub·dem·on·strate, verb (used with object), sub·dem·on·strat·ed, sub·dem·on·strat·ing.un·dem·on·strat·ed, adjectivewell-dem·on·strat·ed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for demonstrate

He was trying, I think, to demonstrate balance and equivalence.
Memo to Cops: Criticisms Aren’t Attacks|Michael Tomasky|December 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Over the course of the year, Klaus would repeatedly, through word and deed, demonstrate his sympathies with Putin.
Vaclav Klaus, Libertarian Hero, Has His Wings Clipped by Cato Institute|James Kirchick|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A classroom experiment seeks to demonstrate what it looks like.
What Is Privilege?|The Daily Beast Video|December 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
One day, he took a monk with a cleanly shaven head and had him walk around a light bulb to demonstrate this theory.
From Fashion Player to Photographer Monk|Nina Strochlic|December 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST

For the Democrats to win as the Government Party, activist government must demonstrate that it both works and is trustworthy.
2016 Is No Democratic Slam Dunk|Lloyd Green|December 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
"Nous verrons," answered I, swinging it on my forefinger, in order to demonstrate its lightness.
Frank Fairlegh|Frank E. Smedley
This: that by knowing the unreality of disease, sin, and death, you demonstrate the allness of God.
Unity of Good|Mary Baker Eddy
With the view to demonstrate the fact once more, the above instances were cited.
Woman under socialism|August Bebel
The schools exist, and, while painfully inadequate in number, demonstrate what may be done in the future.
Prisoners of Poverty|Helen Campbell
But, to-day it is not my purpose to demonstrate to you the final ineffectiveness of the sword.
Freedom's Battle|Mahatma Gandhi

British Dictionary definitions for demonstrate

demonstrate

/ (ˈdɛmənˌstreɪt) /

verb

(tr) to show, manifest, or prove, esp by reasoning, evidence, etcit is easy to demonstrate the truth of this proposition

(tr) to evince; reveal the existence ofthe scheme later demonstrated a fatal flaw

(tr) to explain or illustrate by experiment, example, etc

(tr) to display, operate, and explain the workings of (a machine, product, etc)

(intr) to manifest support, protest, etc, by public parades or rallies

(intr) to be employed as a demonstrator of machinery, etc

(intr) military to make a show of force, esp in order to deceive one's enemy

Word Origin for demonstrate

C16: from Latin dēmonstrāre to point out, from monstrāre to show

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for demonstrate

demonstrate

1550s, "to point out," from Latin demonstratus, past participle of demonstrare (see demonstration). Meaning "to point out by argument or deduction" is from 1570s. Related: Demonstrated; demonstrating.

demonstrate

verb (used with object), dem·on·strat·ed, dem·on·strat·ing.

verb (used without object), dem·on·strat·ed, dem·on·strat·ing.

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Origin of demonstrate

Examples from the Web for demonstrate

demonstrate

verb

Word Origin for demonstrate

demonstrate