as in interpretive
serving to explain
an illustrative analogy in which the relationship between God and humanity is likened to that between a shepherd and his flock
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Recent Examples of illustrative
Polished concrete floors, plaster walls, steel fixtures, and simple wood elements are frequently leveraged to create the restrained, monochromatic palette that is so illustrative of Brutalism.
—
Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 2 Mar. 2026
In broader terms, the summer of 2023 is quite illustrative.
—George Caulkin, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Above information is for illustrative purposes only and has been obtained from reliable sources but no guarantee is made with regard to accuracy or completeness.
—David Thomas, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
But the decision was illustrative of the confidence, or lack thereof, Houston had in its offense.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 19 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illustrative
Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 2 Mar. 2026
In broader terms, the summer of 2023 is quite illustrative.
—George Caulkin, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Above information is for illustrative purposes only and has been obtained from reliable sources but no guarantee is made with regard to accuracy or completeness.
—David Thomas, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
But the decision was illustrative of the confidence, or lack thereof, Houston had in its offense.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 19 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illustrative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrative
Adjective
-
The plan is to turn the station into an interpretive center, where people can learn about the family’s story and the stories of Black travelers during Jim Crow.—
Jonathan Bullington,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
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Barbie Zelizer refers to the place where meanings are constructed, shared, and redefined as the interpretive community of journalism.—
Florian Wintterlin,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Emmie’s condition is an interpretative riddle for both her parents and the reader.—
Giles Harvey,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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Will the academy troll Chalamet (and the rest of us) with an interpretative dance performance?—
Glenn Whipp,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Hybrid lanterns that meet the aforementioned criteria are indeed out there, waiting to illuminate your next campsite, glamping trip, picnic, late-night reading session, or simply to add a little illuminative flare to that embarrassingly barren bookshelf in time for the next Zoom meeting.—
J.D. Simkins,
Sunset Magazine,
17 Feb. 2022
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Along the way, Robbins spices his story through illuminative moments and mini-biographies.—
OregonLive.com,
OregonLive.com,
14 Oct. 2017
Adjective
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Even so, finding more explanatory mechanisms hasn’t been top of mind for neuroscientists.—
Yasemin Saplakoglu,
Quanta Magazine,
24 Apr. 2026
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Read’s book is a great explanatory account of the industry, connecting big, nebulous ideas like neoliberalism to actual concrete things.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illustrative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustrative. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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