illustrate
verb (used with object)
to furnish (a book, magazine, etc.) with drawings, pictures, or other artwork intended for explanation, elucidation, or adornment.
illustrating
-
present participleof illustrate.present participle
A verb form that is used in progressive verb constructions and may also function as a modifier or a gerund.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The rotation into long-dated Treasury ETFs is more than five standard deviations away from its historical average, illustrating just how extreme this shift is relative to normal activity.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 1, 2026
Dalio, the founder of hedge fund Bridgewater Associates, has warned for years of the dangers of surging government debt, illustrating the potential consequences in a series of books including his latest, “How Countries Go Broke.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 28, 2026
That sentiment cropped up repeatedly in interviews, too: Early guests seemed to believe the museum’s brochure, which notes that the galleries are about the “narrative art” of illustrating stories.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 23, 2026
Since Galatasaray won the Uefa Cup in 2000, only one Turkish side has reached the semi-finals of a major Uefa competition, illustrating the gap that still exists between Turkey's biggest clubs and Europe's established powers.
From BBC ● Aug. 6, 2026
For instance, in English it’s not obvious how to draw a picture of the common syllable -tion, but we could instead draw a picture illustrating the verb shun, which has the same pronunciation.
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
