Explain
Explain verb - To make plain or understandable.
Usage example: a pamphlet that explains the medical procedure in language that any layperson can understand
Illustrate is a synonym for explain in edify topic. In some cases you can use "Illustrate" instead a verb "Explain", when it comes to topics like elucidate, make clear, demonstrate, make clear or plain. popular alternative
Illustrate
Illustrate verb - To show or make clear by using examples.
Usage example: she illustrated her point with a story about her experiences as a field anthropologist
Explain is a synonym for illustrate in edify topic. You can use "Explain" instead a verb "Illustrate", if it concerns topics such as elucidate, demonstrate. popular alternative
Mutual synonyms
Related pairs
Common collocations
| ability | explain ability | illustrate ability |
| power | explain power | illustrate power |
| lack | explain lack | illustrate lack |
| nature | explain nature | illustrate nature |
| Other words: situation, time, fact, way, plan, story, difference, actions, joke, concept, history, rules, events, reasons, backstory, differences. | ||
Both words in one sentence
- It was set Inside a Computer System and the blocky feeling was to help illustrate/explain this.
Source: Ur-Example -
It's probably easier to illustrate the point than to explain it, so let's assume you have a yellow note in a solo.
Source: Video Game / Rock Band -
Boss Banter: Nearly all MegaTen bosses will talk to you during battle to drop new plot points, or explain their motivations, or illustrate how they're completely nuts.
Source: Franchise / Shin Megami Tensei
Cite this Source
Illustrate and Explain. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/explain/illustrate
Explain & Illustrate. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/explain/illustrate>.
Illustrate or Explain. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/explain/illustrate.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "explain" and "illustrate" have occurred on timeline