demonstrate
verb
dem·on·strate ˈde-mən-ˌstrāt 
demonstrated; demonstrating
transitive verb
1
: to show clearly
demonstrate a willingness to cooperate
must demonstrate mastery of the subject matter in order to pass the class
The police demonstrated calm restraint during the riot.
2
a
: to prove or make clear by reasoning or evidence
crowded classrooms that demonstrate the need for more schools in the area
b
: to illustrate and explain especially with many examples
demonstrate a procedure
3
: to show or prove the value or efficiency of to a prospective buyer
demonstrate a new kitchen gadget
intransitive verb
: to make a demonstration
Allow me to demonstrate.
crowds demonstrating for the right to vote
Synonyms
- establish
- prove
- show
- substantiate
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Each student must demonstrate mastery of the subject matter in order to pass the class. Employees must demonstrate competence in certain skills before they can work independently. The medication will not be marketed until it is demonstrated to be safe. The latest test results clearly demonstrate that the vaccine works. The group's failed efforts demonstrate how difficult it is to convince people to change their habits. They have demonstrated a willingness to negotiate. Several people will be demonstrating traditional farming techniques. The instructor demonstrated the correct procedure for pruning a tree. Would you mind demonstrating how the machine works? See More
Recent Examples on the Web Those who got three doses on Sinovac’s jab did not demonstrate any neutralizing antibodies for Omicron, either four weeks or six months after getting a booster. 
Grady Mcgregor, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2022 For local officials, doubling down on zero-Covid is a way to toe the Party line, demonstrate their loyalty to Xi, and prevent any large-scale outbreak that could jeopardize their career weeks before the Party congress. Nectar Gan, CNN, 5 Sep. 2022 Soviet citizens were allowed to speak and demonstrate without fear of arrest, to open businesses and to travel abroad. David Satter, WSJ, 31 Aug. 2022 These days, most businesses talk about diversity, but few demonstrate their commitment to it. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 18 Aug. 2022 All these missions will answer key research questions, demonstrate new technologies, prepare scientists and astronauts for eventual human arrivals, and, if industry partners get their wish, stimulate a new kind of lunar economy. Rebecca Boyle, Scientific American, 28 July 2022 But on the flip side, his reportedly mild symptoms demonstrate medical science’s extraordinary success at reducing severe illness and death from COVID-19, primarily with vaccines but also improved treatment. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 22 July 2022 Meloni then goes on to demonstrate all the ways the Peloton app inspires him to work out, from doing naked cardio in his bedroom to naked yoga by his pool, next to a naked statue of Michelangelo’s David. Sasha Urban, Variety, 14 July 2022 As various local experiments demonstrate, rational conversation about topics such as immigration isn’t impossible, even in the most unlikely places. Bill Mckibben, The New Yorker, 3 June 2022 See More
Grady Mcgregor, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2022 For local officials, doubling down on zero-Covid is a way to toe the Party line, demonstrate their loyalty to Xi, and prevent any large-scale outbreak that could jeopardize their career weeks before the Party congress. Nectar Gan, CNN, 5 Sep. 2022 Soviet citizens were allowed to speak and demonstrate without fear of arrest, to open businesses and to travel abroad. David Satter, WSJ, 31 Aug. 2022 These days, most businesses talk about diversity, but few demonstrate their commitment to it. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 18 Aug. 2022 All these missions will answer key research questions, demonstrate new technologies, prepare scientists and astronauts for eventual human arrivals, and, if industry partners get their wish, stimulate a new kind of lunar economy. Rebecca Boyle, Scientific American, 28 July 2022 But on the flip side, his reportedly mild symptoms demonstrate medical science’s extraordinary success at reducing severe illness and death from COVID-19, primarily with vaccines but also improved treatment. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 22 July 2022 Meloni then goes on to demonstrate all the ways the Peloton app inspires him to work out, from doing naked cardio in his bedroom to naked yoga by his pool, next to a naked statue of Michelangelo’s David. Sasha Urban, Variety, 14 July 2022 As various local experiments demonstrate, rational conversation about topics such as immigration isn’t impossible, even in the most unlikely places. Bill Mckibben, The New Yorker, 3 June 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
borrowed from Latin dēmonstrātus, past participle of dēmonstrāre "to draw attention to, indicate, describe, show," from dē- de- + monstrāre "to point out, show" — more at muster entry 2
First Known Use
1548, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Phrases Containing demonstrate
Kids Definition
demonstrate
verb
dem·on·strate ˈde-mən-ˌstrāt
demonstrated; demonstrating
1
: to show clearly
He demonstrates a willingness to change.
2
: to prove or make clear by reasoning
Galileo demonstrated that the earth revolves around the sun.
3
: to explain (as in teaching) by use of examples or experiments
My science project demonstrates blood circulation.
4
: to show to people the good qualities of an article or a product
demonstrate a new car
5
: to make a public display (as of feelings or military force)
Marchers demonstrated for human rights.
Medical Definition
demonstrate
verb
dem·on·strate ˈdem-ən-ˌstrāt
demonstrated; demonstrating
transitive verb
1
: to show clearly
demonstrated the artery arteriographically
2
: to prove or make clear by reasoning or evidence
intransitive verb
: to make a demonstration
demonstrate
verb
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
- prove
- establish
- show
- confirm
- evidence
- substantiate
- verify
- justify
- attest
- uphold
- validate
- document
- sustain
- support
- corroborate
- bear out
- authenticate
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- disprove
- refute
- invalidate
- rebut
- discredit
- confute
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
- prove
- establish
- validate
- document
- identify
- verify
- confirm
- substantiate
- evidence
- corroborate
- record
- evince
- uphold
- support
- attest
- adduce
- witness
- buttress
- certify
- testify
- authenticate
- sustain
- vouch
- circumstantiate
- confess
- clinch
- depose
- nail
- back (up)
- settle
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- refute
- disprove
- rebut
- assume
- challenge
- object
- presume
- allege
- guess
- suspect
- dispute
- surmise
- conjecture
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
- reveal
- display
- show
- betray
- expose
- manifest
- evince
- communicate
- declare
- disclose
- give away
- uncover
- proclaim
- announce
- bespeak
- sound
- bare
- advertise
- publicize
- air
- project
- broadcast
- trumpet
- placard
- unbosom
- uncloak
- blaze
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- misrepresent
- belie
- falsify
- distort
- disguise
- twist
- conceal
- hide
- camouflage
- cover
- obscure
- occlude
- gloss (over)
- whitewash
- mask
- gild
- veil
- varnish
- garble
- counterfeit
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
- explain
- illustrate
- clarify
- interpret
- elucidate
- illuminate
- simplify
- explicate
- expound
- construe
- demystify
- analyze
- spell out
- resolve
- define
- get across
- specify
- solve
- decipher
- unriddle
- clear (up)
- decode
- unravel
- disentangle
- undo
- annotate
- untangle
- unscramble
- gloss
- break down
- commentate
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- obscure
- confuse
- confound
- cloud
- obfuscate
- befog
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
- illustrate
- explain
- exemplify
- clarify
- analyze
- specify
- instance
- cite
- mention
- elucidate
- adduce
- interpret
- explicate
- quote
- expound
- illuminate
- detail
- enlighten
- construe
- simplify
- edify
- spell out
- list
- name
- enumerate
- clear (up)
- break down
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- obscure
- muddy
- blur
- confuse
- darken
- cloud
- becloud
- puzzle
- fog
- perplex
Synonym Chooser
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
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
The meanings of evince and demonstrate largely overlap; however, evince implies a showing by outward marks or signs.
evinced not the slightest fear
Although the words manifest and demonstrate have much in common, manifest implies a plainer, more immediate revelation.
manifested musical ability at an early age
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