demonstrate

demonstrate — verb

1. to prove that something is true or exists by providing facts, evidence, or clear

1.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to prove that something is true or exists by providing facts, evidence, or clear examples

Example

The experiment demonstrated that the new drug reduces fever in most patients.

demonstrate + that-clause for proving a fact

These figures clearly demonstrate the need for better public transport across the city.

collocation: clearly demonstrate + need

Common collocations
  • clearly demonstrate
  • conclusively demonstrate
  • demonstrate + that-clause
  • demonstrate + link/connection/correlation
  • demonstrate + ability/capability
Synonyms
  • prove

    more conclusive and absolute; 'prove' leaves no room for doubt, while 'demonstrate' allows for strong evidence

  • show

    more general and less formal; 'show' can be as simple as pointing, while 'demonstrate' implies reasoned evidence

  • establish

    more formal; often used in academic or legal contexts about proven facts or truths

Antonyms
  • disprove

    to show that something is false, the opposite of demonstrating that it is true

  • refute

    formal; to prove a statement or argument is wrong using evidence

Grammar Patterns

demonstrate + that-clause

demonstrate + wh-clause

demonstrate + noun phrase

Usage Note

Frequently takes a that-clause or a wh-clause as object. The evidence is typically factual — from experiments, data, or examples — rather than emotional.

Common Mistakes

The experiment proved the drug reduces fever' (when data is strong but not absolute).
The experiment demonstrated that the drug reduces fever.
'prove' is more conclusive than 'demonstrate'; use 'demonstrate' when the evidence is strong but not mathematically certain.
She demonstrated me the error.
She demonstrated the error to me.
'demonstrate' is not ditransitive in standard English; use 'to' before the indirect object.

2. to show the way a device, task, or process is carried out by performing it in fr

2.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to show the way a device, task, or process is carried out by performing it in front of an observer while explaining

Example

The chef demonstrated how to make the sauce by cooking it step by step.

demonstrate + how to + infinitive

A sales assistant demonstrated the vacuum cleaner to the customer at the store.

Common collocations
  • demonstrate how to
  • demonstrate + product/device/machine
  • demonstrate + technique/method
  • demonstrate + to + audience
  • demonstrate + step by step
Synonyms
  • show

    simpler and less formal; 'show' can mean just pointing, while 'demonstrate' involves step-by-step explanation

  • illustrate

    often used for visual or diagrammatic explanation; slightly more formal

  • exhibit

    to put something on display for others to see, without necessarily explaining it

Antonyms
  • conceal

    to hide something so others cannot see or learn it

  • obscure

    to make something hard to see or understand

Grammar Patterns

demonstrate + wh-clause

demonstrate + how to + verb

demonstrate + noun phrase

Usage Note

Typically used in teaching, sales, and instructional contexts. The object is usually a process, device, technique, or procedure rather than an abstract concept.

Common Mistakes

The teacher demonstrated us the experiment.
The teacher demonstrated the experiment to us.
'demonstrate' needs a preposition ('to') before the person watching.
I will teach you how the machine works.' (when the speaker means showing, not instructing).
I will demonstrate how the machine works.
'teach' implies the learner will gain skill; 'demonstrate' means showing the operation.

3. to act in a way that makes a specific inner quality — such as bravery, dedicatio

3.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to act in a way that makes a specific inner quality — such as bravery, dedication, or skill — noticeable to other people

Example

The nurse demonstrated great patience when dealing with frightened children.

demonstrate + abstract quality (patience, courage, skill)

Tariq demonstrated his commitment by working late every evening.

Common collocations
  • demonstrate + commitment/dedication
  • demonstrate + courage/bravery
  • demonstrate + ability/skill
  • demonstrate + understanding/knowledge
  • demonstrate + leadership
Synonyms
  • display

    very close in meaning; 'display' can feel more deliberate or performative, while 'demonstrate' implies genuine possession of the quality

  • show

    simpler and broader; 'show' can be unintentional, whereas 'demonstrate' usually implies active proof through behaviour

  • reveal

    suggests something was previously hidden or unknown; more dramatic in tone

Antonyms
  • hide

    to keep a quality, feeling, or ability from being seen by others

  • suppress

    to deliberately hold back a feeling or quality so it does not show

Grammar Patterns

demonstrate + noun phrase

Usage Note

Subject is usually a person or group. The object is an abstract quality — patience, commitment, courage, skill, understanding — rather than a physical object. This sense is common in performance reviews, academic contexts, and character descriptions.

Common Mistakes

She demonstrated her new dress.' (meaning she showed it off).
She showed off her new dress.
this sense of 'demonstrate' does NOT apply to physical objects for display; use sense 2 for showing how something works.
He demonstrated happiness.' (vague).
He demonstrated his enthusiasm by volunteering for every task.
the quality should be one that manifests through observable actions.

4. to walk or stand in a public place with a group of people to show that you oppos

4.verbintransitiveB1
Definition

to walk or stand in a public place with a group of people to show that you oppose or support something, often a political or social issue

Example

Thousands of people demonstrated outside City Hall against the new housing law.

demonstrate + against [something] to show opposition

University students demonstrated for better funding for public schools across the region.

demonstrate + for [something] to show support

Common collocations
  • demonstrate against
  • demonstrate for
  • demonstrate in favour of
  • demonstrate peacefully
  • demonstrate outside/in front of
Synonyms
  • protest

    broader meaning — can be individual or group action, not necessarily involving marching or gathering

  • march

    more specific — implies walking in an organised procession rather than standing

  • rally

    noun form more common; as a verb, 'rally' emphasises gathering for a shared cause

Grammar Patterns

demonstrate + against/for

demonstrate + in favour of

demonstrate + prepositional phrase

Usage Note

Commonly followed by 'against' (what is opposed) or 'for/in favour of' (what is supported). Also used without a complement when the cause is clear from context. The verb itself implies a group activity — a single person cannot 'demonstrate' in this sense alone.

Common Mistakes

He demonstrated alone in the park.' (one person cannot demonstrate in this sense).
He joined others to demonstrate in the park.
sense 4 of 'demonstrate' requires a group; use 'protest' for individual action.
They demonstrated against the new policy yesterday at the meeting.' (unclear location).
They demonstrated outside the parliament building against the new policy.
this sense needs a public location.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four words involve making something known, but they differ in strength and formality. 'Demonstrate' (B2) means to prove or make clear using evidence or examples — it is strong but leaves room for nuance: data can demonstrate a trend without conclusively proving it. 'Prove' (B2) is more absolute: once proved, there is no room for reasonable doubt. 'Show' (A2) is the simplest and most general — you can show someone a photo, show how something works, or show that you care; it does not carry the weight of evidence. 'Establish' (C1) is the most formal, used in academic and legal writing: 'The study established a clear link between the two variables.' 'Indicate' (B2) is weaker and more tentative: data can indicate a possibility without demonstrating it conclusively. For everyday use, 'show' is safest; in academic or professional writing, choose 'demonstrate' or 'establish' depending on the strength of the evidence.

prove ↗show ↗establish ↗indicate ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

From Latin 'demonstrare', meaning 'to point out, show, indicate'. The word is made of 'de-' (completely) and 'monstrare' (to show), which comes from 'monstrum' (a sign or portent). It entered English in the 1550s through French 'démontrer'. The sense of public protesting appeared in the 1880s, drawn from the idea of 'showing' your position publicly.