Demonstrate — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ˈde-mən-ˌstrāt/ dem·on·strate

Meaning & Definition of Demonstrate

Demonstrate (verb)

  1. to show clearly
  2. to prove or make clear by reasoning or evidence
  3. to illustrate and explain especially with many examples

Demonstrate (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to gain full recognition or acceptance of

    "you must demonstrate your scientific thesis before a jury of your professional peers"

    opposite: disprove
  2. 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"

    opposite: disprove, rebut, refute
  3. to make known (something abstract) through outward signs

    "the babysitter's actions during the emergency demonstrate beyond doubt her general dependability"

  4. to make plain or understandable

    "a few striking facts should demonstrate the complex nature of our topic"

    opposite: obscure
  5. to show or make clear by using examples

    "the visiting physicist demonstrated very graphically several basic scientific principles"

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Demonstrate

The most common words with a similar meaning to Demonstrate:

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Demonstrate

Words with the opposite meaning of Demonstrate:

Near Antonyms of Demonstrate

Word Forms of Demonstrate

Inflections: demonstrated, demonstrating

Origin & Etymology of Demonstrate

borrowed from Latin dēmonstrātus, past participle of dēmonstrāre "to draw attention to, indicate, describe, show," from dē- de- + monstrāre "to point out, show" muster:2

First known use: 1538t

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Demonstrate

Words & Phrases Containing Demonstrate

Frequently Asked Questions about Demonstrate

What does "Demonstrate" mean?

"Demonstrate" means to show clearly. As a verb, it is defined as: to show clearly. It has 5 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Demonstrate"?

Other words for "Demonstrate" include establish, prove, show, substantiate, document, validate, bespeak and betray. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Demonstrate" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Demonstrate"?

There are 100 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Demonstrate". Common alternatives include establish, prove, show, substantiate, document, validate, bespeak, betray, communicate and declare.

What is the opposite of "Demonstrate"?

Antonyms of "Demonstrate" include disprove, rebut, refute and obscure. Near antonyms include confute, discredit, invalidate and challenge.

How do you use "Demonstrate" in a sentence?

Examples of "Demonstrate" in a sentence: "you must demonstrate your scientific thesis before a jury of your professional peers"; "the paleontologist hopes to demonstrate that dinosaurs once existed in central Peru by unearthing the fossil evidence"; "the babysitter's actions during the emergency demonstrate beyond doubt her general dependability".

Is "Demonstrate" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Demonstrate" is a verb.

Is "Demonstrate" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Demonstrate" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+. It is on the Academic Word List, so it appears often in IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and university texts.

How do you pronounce "Demonstrate"?

"Demonstrate" is pronounced /ˈde-mən-ˌstrāt/ and divided into syllables as dem·on·strate.