demonstrate

[ dem-uhn-streyt ]

verb (used with object)

, dem·on·strat·ed, dem·on·strat·ing.

1. to make evident or establish by arguments or reasoning; prove:

   to demonstrate a philosophical principle.

   Synonyms: corroborate, verify, confirm, show

2. to describe, explain, or illustrate by examples, specimens, experiments, or the like:

   to demonstrate the force of gravity by dropping an object.

3. to manifest or exhibit; show:

   He demonstrated his courage by his actions in battle.

4. to display openly or publicly, as feelings:

   to demonstrate one's anger by slamming a door.

5. to exhibit the operation or use of (a device, process, product, or the like), usually to a purchaser or prospect:

   to demonstrate an automobile.

verb (used without object)

, dem·on·strat·ed, dem·on·strat·ing.

1. to make, give, or take part in, a demonstration:

   The pickets required a license to demonstrate.

2. Military. to attack or make a show of force to deceive an enemy.

demonstrate

/ ˈdɛmənˌstreɪt /

verb

1. tr to show, manifest, or prove, esp by reasoning, evidence, etc

   it is easy to demonstrate the truth of this proposition

2. tr to evince; reveal the existence of

   the scheme later demonstrated a fatal flaw

3. tr to explain or illustrate by experiment, example, etc
4. tr to display, operate, and explain the workings of (a machine, product, etc)
5. intr to manifest support, protest, etc, by public parades or rallies
6. intr to be employed as a demonstrator of machinery, etc
7. intr military to make a show of force, esp in order to deceive one's enemy

Other Words From

• demon·strated·ly adverb
• counter·demon·strate verb (used without object) counterdemonstrated counterdemonstrating
• pre·demon·strate verb (used with object) predemonstrated predemonstrating
• re·demon·strate verb redemonstrated redemonstrating
• sub·demon·strate verb (used with object) subdemonstrated subdemonstrating
• un·demon·strated adjective
• well-demon·strated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of demonstrate¹

First recorded in 1545–55; from Latin dēmonstrātus, past participle of dēmonstrāre “to show, point out,” equivalent to dē- de- + monstrāre “to show,” verbal derivative of monstrum “sign, portent”; monster ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of demonstrate¹

C16: from Latin dēmonstrāre to point out, from monstrāre to show

Example Sentences

"It brings our aspiration of a new home in the region closer and hopefully demonstrates our determination to recover Wasps sustainably."

From BBC

It demonstrates that love, though perhaps the world’s most beautiful emotion, is not necessarily the most important one, at least not when oppressive politics become involved.

From Salon

Others, like Rubio and Stefanik, were critics of Trump early in his first presidential bid, but they have now spent years demonstrating that their harsh words are a thing of the past.

From BBC

Armed with just his acoustic guitar, he constantly writes new songs, as demonstrated by the ones he’s written earlier this year.

From Los Angeles Times

“These results demonstrated pervasive nonadherence to age verification, shipping, and flavored tobacco restrictions among online tobacco retailers,” the study’s authors wrote.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• determine
• establish
• exhibit
• expose
• indicate
• manifest
• prove
• test
• testify to
• try
• validate