Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb illustrate

3 senses of illustrate

Sense 1
exemplify, illustrate, instance -- (clarify by giving an example of)
       => elaborate, lucubrate, expatiate, exposit, enlarge, flesh out, expand, expound, dilate -- (add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing; "She elaborated on the main ideas in her dissertation")

Sense 2
illustrate -- (depict with an illustration)
       => picture, depict, render, show -- (show in, or as in, a picture; "This scene depicts country life"; "the face of the child is rendered with much tenderness in this painting")

Sense 3
illustrate -- (supply with illustrations; "illustrate a book with drawings")
       => decorate, adorn, grace, ornament, embellish, beautify -- (make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.; "Decorate the room for the party"; "beautify yourself for the special day")