Sample sentences for DEMONSTRATE

2 meanings

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1 —as in:
It demonstrates my point.

Definition

to show

The exact meaning of this sense of demonstrate can depend upon its context. For example:

"I will demonstrate how to throw a Frisbee." — show how to do something
"I will demonstrate how much quicker the new computer is than the old one." — show how something works
"Her questioned demonstrated that she was listening and thinking deeply about what was said." — showed to be true or proved

The salesperson demonstrated features of both phones so I could compare them.

demonstrated = showed

Other Uses (with this meaning)

The coach asked me to demonstrate a proper pushup.

demonstrate = show (how something is done)

The medal is given only to a few who have demonstrated extraordinary courage while defending their country.

demonstrated = shown

This graph demonstrates that students who read more develop more extensive vocabularies.

demonstrates = shows or proves

Unlike a postulate or axiom, a theorem is a demonstrable truth.

demonstrable = capable of being demonstrated

(Editor's note: The suffix "-able" means able to be. This is the same pattern you see in words like breakable, understandable, and comfortable.)

Abuelita demonstrated and Isabel carefully copied her movements.
Pam Munoz Ryan -- Esperanza Rising

demonstrated = showed (how something is done)

The belief that nothing exists outside your own mind — surely there must be some way of demonstrating that it was false?
George Orwell -- 1984

demonstrating = showing

Evidence presented previously demonstrates that Chase Andrews hit the back of his head on that support beam, not his forehead.
Delia Owens -- Where the Crawdads Sing

demonstrates = shows

Shall I give you a demonstration?
Madeline Miller -- Circe

demonstration = display or proof

(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in action, education, and observation.)

Once Winifred drinks some of the water, she'll do just as well for my demonstrations.
Natalie Babbitt -- Tuck Everlasting

demonstrations = displays (of how something works)

(editor's note: The suffix "-tions", converts a verb into a plural noun that denotes results of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in actions, illustrations, and observations.)

Dictionary / pronunciation — Google^®Dictionary / more samples — Oxford^® US Dictionary list — Onelook.com^®

2 —as in:
demonstrate to protest

Definition

a public display supporting a cause — usually joining with others in a political protest

The students demonstrated against hate speech.

demonstrated = joined with others in a public protest

Other Uses (with this meaning)

The students demonstrated against limitations on free speech.

demonstrated = joined with others in a public protest

I joined the demonstration against globalization.

demonstration = public protest

Soon mullahs all over Pakistan were denouncing the book, calling for it to be banned, and angry demonstrations were held.
Malala Yousafzai -- I Am Malala

demonstrations = public protests

Every now and then the demonstrators would yell these slogans out loud.
Jeanne DuPrau -- The City of Ember

demonstrators = people who were protesting something

On April 17, 1978, the year Mariam turned nineteen, a man named Mir Akbar Khyber was found murdered. Two days later, there was a large demonstration in Kabul. ... Rasheed said that Mir Akbar Khyber had been a prominent communist, and that his supporters were blaming the murder on President Daoud Khan's government.
Khaled Hosseini -- A Thousand Splendid Suns

demonstration = public protest

Picketing, protest marches, and demonstrations made headlines.
Christopher Paul Curtis -- The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963

demonstrations = public protests or displays of support

Captain Talcott sensed the growing anger in the waiting crowd and raised his voice. "There is to be no demonstration," he reminded them.
Elizabeth George Speare -- The Witch of Blackbird Pond

demonstration = public protest

All over Oceania this morning there were irrepressible spontaneous demonstrations when workers marched out of factories and offices and paraded through the streets with banners voicing their gratitude to Big Brother for the new, happy life which his wise leadership has bestowed upon us.
George Orwell -- 1984

demonstrations = public displays of support

Napoleon had commanded that once a week there should be held something called a Spontaneous Demonstration, the object of which was to celebrate the struggles and triumphs of Animal Farm.
George Orwell -- Animal Farm

demonstration = public display of support

Dictionary / pronunciation — Google^®Dictionary / more samples — Oxford^® US Dictionary list — Onelook.com^®

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