demonstrate

[ dem-uhn-streyt ]

verb (used with object)

, dem·on·strat·ed, dem·on·strat·ing.

1. to make evident or establish by arguments or reasoning; prove:

   to demonstrate a philosophical principle.

   Synonyms: corroborate, verify, confirm, show

2. to describe, explain, or illustrate by examples, specimens, experiments, or the like:

   to demonstrate the force of gravity by dropping an object.

3. to manifest or exhibit; show:

   He demonstrated his courage by his actions in battle.

4. to display openly or publicly, as feelings:

   to demonstrate one's anger by slamming a door.

5. 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.

1. to make, give, or take part in, a demonstration:

   The pickets required a license to demonstrate.

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

demonstrate

/ ˈdɛmənˌstreɪt /

verb

1. tr to show, manifest, or prove, esp by reasoning, evidence, etc

   it is easy to demonstrate the truth of this proposition

2. tr to evince; reveal the existence of

   the scheme later demonstrated a fatal flaw

3. tr to explain or illustrate by experiment, example, etc
4. tr to display, operate, and explain the workings of (a machine, product, etc)
5. intr to manifest support, protest, etc, by public parades or rallies
6. intr to be employed as a demonstrator of machinery, etc
7. intr military to make a show of force, esp in order to deceive one's enemy

Other Words From

• demon·strated·ly adverb
• counter·demon·strate verb (used without object) counterdemonstrated counterdemonstrating
• pre·demon·strate verb (used with object) predemonstrated predemonstrating
• re·demon·strate verb redemonstrated redemonstrating
• sub·demon·strate verb (used with object) subdemonstrated subdemonstrating
• un·demon·strated adjective
• well-demon·strated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of demonstrate¹

First recorded in 1545–55; from Latin dēmonstrātus, past participle of dēmonstrāre “to show, point out,” equivalent to dē- de- + monstrāre “to show,” verbal derivative of monstrum “sign, portent”; monster ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of demonstrate¹

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

Example Sentences

Emotional AI assistants, though relatively nascent, could provide mental-health support and have been demonstrated to improve the social skills of autistic children.

From MIT Technology Review

Early adopters of Instagram demonstrated that if you can find the right strategy to leverage the platform during its initial days, you can easily become the top influencer and monetize your success.

From Search Engine Watch

Nor has China’s leadership demonstrated much sympathy for Zhang’s dilemma.

From Fortune

Scientists will have to show extensive data demonstrating that off-target edits are rare, and that the early development of genetically-altered embryos is similar to non-edited ones in the lab.

From Singularity Hub 

The third is that they should be able to demonstrate that they fulfill both criteria by measuring and reporting their performances against them.

From Fortune

He was trying, I think, to demonstrate balance and equivalence.

From The Daily Beast

Over the course of the year, Klaus would repeatedly, through word and deed, demonstrate his sympathies with Putin.

From The Daily Beast

A classroom experiment seeks to demonstrate what it looks like.

From The Daily Beast

Some of the comments on this very video actually demonstrate their point in a kind of twisted metastatement.

From The 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 The Daily Beast

For the subsoil of the whole country is very rich, as trees of immense size and height readily demonstrate.

From Project Gutenberg

Practical men were therefore generally of the opinion that they could best demonstrate their rights by exhibiting their power.

From Project Gutenberg

To demonstrate them, a crust or a hair from the affected area is softened with a few drops of 20 per cent.

From Project Gutenberg

We are ourselves satisfied, and undertake to demonstrate to our readers, that this question must be answered in the affirmative.

From Project Gutenberg

And then he proceeded with circumspection and dignity to demonstrate the process of decocting that mysterious beverage.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• determine
• establish
• exhibit
• expose
• indicate
• manifest
• prove
• test
• testify to
• try
• validate