illustrate vs expand

illustrate and expand both are verbs.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
illustrate	No	No	Yes	No
expand	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, expand is a hypernym of illustrate; that is, expand is a word with a broader meaning than illustrate:

illustrate: clarify by giving an example of
expand: add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing

Other hypernyms of illustrate include dilate, elaborate, enlarge, expatiate, exposit, expound, flesh out, lucubrate.

illustrate (verb)	expand (verb)
clarify by giving an example of	grow vigorously
depict with an illustration	exaggerate or make bigger
supply with illustrations	become larger in size or volume or quantity
	expand the influence of
	make bigger or wider in size, volume, or quantity
	add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing
	extend in one or more directions