Demonstrate and Explain

Demonstrate

Demonstrate verb - To make plain or understandable.
Usage example: a few striking facts should demonstrate the complex nature of our topic

Explain is a synonym for demonstrate in describe topic. In some cases you can use "Explain" instead a verb "Demonstrate", when it comes to topics like elucidate.

Explain

Explain verb - To make plain or understandable.
Usage example: a pamphlet that explains the medical procedure in language that any layperson can understand

Demonstrate is a synonym for explain in elucidate topic. You can use "Demonstrate" instead a verb "Explain", if it concerns topics such as make clear, make clear or plain.

Common collocations

ability demonstrate ability explain ability
power demonstrate power explain power
strength demonstrate strength explain strength
lack demonstrate lack explain lack
Other words: nature, knowledge, time, fact, way, bit, difference, behavior, skills, powers, abilities, problems, differences.

Both words in one sentence

  • For some reason, they don't even attempt to explain or demonstrate that it's a transformation, just awkwardly say they haven't dyed their hair.
  • Series / Bill Nye the Science Guy The Cameo: See "Sesame Street" Cred entry below; many celebrities put in time to help demonstrate or explain a current episode's central theme, some examples include: Penn & Teller (Light Optics), Samuel L.
  • Video Game / Pokémon Black and White Easing into the Adventure: They need some way to explain to newcomers to the series how to play, so they chose to have the two rivals demonstrate the mechanics.
Cite this Source
Explain and Demonstrate. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/demonstrate/explain
Demonstrate & Explain. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/demonstrate/explain>.
Explain or Demonstrate. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/demonstrate/explain.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "demonstrate" and "explain" have occurred on timeline