demonstrate

verb

ˈde-mən-ˌstrāt How to pronounce demonstrate (audio)
Definition of demonstratenext
1
as in to prove
to gain full recognition or acceptance of you must demonstrate your scientific thesis before a jury of your professional peers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to establish
to show the existence or truth of by evidence the paleontologist hopes to demonstrate that dinosaurs once existed in central Peru by unearthing the fossil evidence

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to reveal
to make known (something abstract) through outward signs the babysitter's actions during the emergency demonstrate beyond doubt her general dependability

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to explain
to make plain or understandable a few striking facts should demonstrate the complex nature of our topic

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to illustrate
to show or make clear by using examples the visiting physicist demonstrated very graphically several basic scientific principles

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word demonstrate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of demonstrate are evidence, evince, manifest, and show. While all these words mean "to reveal outwardly or make apparent," demonstrate implies showing by action or by display of feeling.

demonstrated their approval by loud applause

When would evidence be a good substitute for demonstrate?

While in some cases nearly identical to demonstrate, evidence suggests serving as proof of the actuality or existence of something.

a commitment evidenced by years of loyal service

When might evince be a better fit than demonstrate?

The meanings of evince and demonstrate largely overlap; however, evince implies a showing by outward marks or signs.

evinced not the slightest fear

When could manifest be used to replace demonstrate?

Although the words manifest and demonstrate have much in common, manifest implies a plainer, more immediate revelation.

manifested musical ability at an early age

When can show be used instead of demonstrate?

The words show and demonstrate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, show is the general term but sometimes implies that what is revealed must be gained by inference from acts, looks, or words.

careful not to show his true feelings

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of demonstrate Employees of New York’s Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum on April 16 demonstrated outside the institution in response to its recent staff cuts. —News Desk, Artforum, 18 Apr. 2025 While tensions over Taiwan and the South China Sea are intensifying, China's support for Russia, Iran, and now the Houthis demonstrates the wider challenge and the risk of conflict. —Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025 Media coverage Being featured in major publications or news outlets that demonstrate your impact on the field and the national importance of your endeavor. —William Jones, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025 While older characters lament a loss of connection, efforts to bridge technological divides demonstrate how cross-generational bonds are possible. —Heather Scott Partington, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for demonstrate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demonstrate
  1. prove
  2. establish
  3. reveal
  4. explain
  5. illustrate
  6. show
  7. display
  8. clarify
Verb
  • The first three days of the season took care of such foolish rookie thoughts and proved to be a humbling, but learning, experience.
    — Thomas Weddle, Outdoor Life, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Naysayers insisted that increasing content costs would match the company’s rapid topline and subscriber growth, and profits would prove illusory.
    — Michael Khouw, CNBC, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of prove
Verb
  • What things like weekly releases, time slots, and appointment television do is establish a habit.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The Pentagon established several timelines for capabilities to be delivered starting with early 2026 to those delivered after 2030.
    — Mike Stone and Marisa Taylor, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of establish
Verb
  • In September 2023, another investigation with Webb – an advanced telescope launched in 2021 outfitted with powerful infrared instruments – revealed something more: traces of carbon-bearing molecules in K2-18b's atmosphere, including methane and carbon dioxide.
    — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Whether this season was simply a speed bump on their way to getting there or a concerning indication of things to come will be revealed soon.
    — Kevin Kurz, New York Times, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of reveal
Verb
  • The reason for the independence, the Brookings Institution explains, is that politicians tend to want lower interest rates because lower rates stimulate the economy.
    — Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 21 Apr. 2025
  • If yes, please explain: Only at the misdemeanor level.
    — Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2025
Definition of explain
Verb
  • As the graphic above illustrates, Galatasaray’s Napoli loanee can find space to shoot, even with limited service.
    — Ali Rampling, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Her own work has illustrated how different brain regions activate when processing English or Chinese sentences because of their differing linguistic properties.
    — Gayoung Lee, Scientific American, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of illustrate
Verb
  • Monday's filing showed the investigations began April 1 and the tariffs would be imposed under the authority of Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, which grants the president such power to protect national security.
    — John Bacon, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2025
  • First, the report represents billions of dollars in AI funding in dots, and shows visually how the field exploded in the last 10 years.
    — John Werner, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of show
Verb
  • Dedicated to the suspension of time, the booth displayed vignettes portraying urban landscapes, creating a sense of calmness in a dynamic setting.
    — Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Police allege Balmer broke into the southern wing of the residence, entering a room often used to entertain crowds and display art, and set a fire using a homemade incendiary device.
    — Marc Levy, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of display
Verb
  • The system includes a clarifying shampoo, keratin treatment, and nourishing hair mask, each infused with hydrolyzed keratin and antioxidant-rich açaí and cacao to restore hydration, combat oxidative stress, and unveil a noticeably smoother, more manageable texture.
    — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Last August, Del Rey clarified her sonic vision for the album in an interview with Vogue.
    — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of clarify

Browse Nearby Words

demonstrable
demonstrate
demonstrated
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Demonstrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demonstrate. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on demonstrate

Nglish: Translation of demonstrate for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

'Blue Moon,' 'Wolf Moon,' and Other Moons to Look for Throughout the Year

10 Scrabble Words Without Any Vowels
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
name that thing flower edition
Name That Flower Can you tell the difference between a lilac and a...
See All