Synonyms for This Shows: 40+ Academic Alternatives (2026 Guide)

“This shows” is the sentence every student writes ten times per essay — and every teacher circles. It’s not wrong; it’s just tired. Worse, it hides how strong your evidence really is: “this proves” and “this suggests” are very different claims wearing the same “this shows” clothes. The synonyms below grade the strength — demonstrates, indicates, reveals, implies — so your evidence gets its honest word.

This guide gives you 40+ synonyms for “this shows,” grouped by evidential strength — plus academic writing tips, formal vs casual picks, and FAQs.

What Strength Is Your Evidence?

“This shows” hides four different claims: demonstrating (this demonstrates the trend), indicating (this indicates a problem), revealing (this reveals the motive), and suggesting (this suggests a link). Merriam-Webster’s thesaurus entry for show covers the verb’s full range. Grade your evidence first — then the word.

40+ Synonyms for This Shows (Grouped by Strength)

Demonstrates and Proves (Strongest)

• This demonstrates — this demonstrates the trend.
• This proves — this proves the theory.
• This confirms — this confirms our hypothesis.
• This establishes — this establishes the link.
• This validates — this validates the approach.
• This substantiates — formal. this substantiates the claim.
• This attests to — this attests to his skill.
• This bears out — the data bears out the prediction.

Indicates and Signifies (Strong)

• This indicates — this indicates a problem.
• This signifies — this signifies a shift.
• This points to — this points to fraud.
• This evidences — formal. this evidences negligence.
• This manifests — this manifests as anxiety.
• This reflects — this reflects poor planning.
• This underscores — this underscores the need.
• This highlights — this highlights the gap.

Reveals and Exposes (Discovery)

• This reveals — this reveals the motive.
• This exposes — this exposes the flaw.
• This uncovers — this uncovers the pattern.
• This lays bare — this lays bare the corruption.
• This brings to light — this brings to light new facts.
• This discloses — this discloses the conflict.
• This unmasks — this unmasks the bias.

Suggests and Implies (Cautious)

• This suggests — this suggests a link.
• This implies — this implies consent.
• This hints at — this hints at trouble.
• This alludes to — formal. this alludes to the scandal.
• This intimates — formal. this intimates dissatisfaction.
• This gestures toward — this gestures toward a solution.
• This is consistent with — this is consistent with the theory.

Illustrates and Exemplifies (Examples)

• This illustrates — this illustrates the principle.
• This exemplifies — this exemplifies courage.
• This embodies — this embodies the spirit.
• This captures — this captures the mood.
• This encapsulates — this encapsulates the debate.
• This typifies — this typifies the era.

More academic vocabulary in our Synonyms category — see synonyms for so and synonyms for similar.

Academic Writing: Beyond “This Shows”

Professors don’t hate “this shows” — they hate what it hides. Upgrade honestly:

• Match verb to evidence: “proves” needs proof; “suggests” needs a hint. Overclaiming (“this proves”) with weak evidence is worse than “this shows.”
• Vary by paragraph: demonstrates → indicates → reveals → suggests — rotate through the strength scale.
• Name the agent: “the survey reveals…” beats “this shows…” — “this” is vague; the source is precise.
• Hedge honestly: “suggests,” “implies,” “is consistent with” are not weak — they’re accurate when evidence is partial.

Formal vs Casual Picks

Formal-safe: demonstrates, substantiates, indicates, signifies, evidences, reveals, discloses, alludes to, intimates, exemplifies, encapsulates. Neutral: shows, proves, confirms, points to, reflects, highlights, suggests, implies, illustrates. Casual: hints at, lays bare, brings to light. “Substantiates” suits dissertations; “lays bare” suits journalism.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• “This proves” overreach: “proves” is the strongest claim in the language — use it only when the evidence is conclusive. Most student essays should say “suggests.”
• Vague “this”: “this” without a clear antecedent confuses readers — “this result demonstrates…” names what “this” is.
• “This shows that” wordiness: “this demonstrates that X” → often just “X” with the evidence cited. Cut the frame when the evidence speaks.
• Prove vs proof: “prove” is the verb (this proves); “proof” is the noun (the proof is). Don’t swap them.

FAQs About Synonyms for This Shows

What is the best synonym for “this shows”?

“This demonstrates” for strong evidence, “this indicates” for signals, “this reveals” for discoveries, “this suggests” for cautious claims.

What is a formal word for “this shows”?

“This demonstrates,” “this substantiates,” “this evidences,” and “this exemplifies” are the most formal.

What’s the difference between “this shows” and “this proves”?

“Shows” is neutral about strength; “proves” claims conclusive evidence. “Proves” is stronger — and riskier if your evidence doesn’t fully prove.

How do you avoid repeating “this shows” in essays?

Rotate through the strength scale (demonstrates, indicates, reveals, suggests), name the source (“the data reveals”), and cut the frame when evidence speaks for itself.

What is a cautious alternative to “this shows”?

“This suggests,” “this implies,” “this hints at,” or “this is consistent with” — each honestly signals partial evidence.

Final Thoughts

“This shows” is a placeholder for a judgment — how strong is your evidence, really? The synonyms force the honest answer: the proof of “demonstrates,” the signal of “indicates,” the discovery of “reveals,” the caution of “suggests.” Pick the true one, and your writing earns its authority.