1
as in to illumine
to supply with light
a floor lamp illuminates a living room rather nicely
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to explain
to make plain or understandable
the museum's exhibit on the refraction of light really illuminated the subject for us
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to illustrate
to supplement with pictorial matter for the purpose of explanation or decoration
no one knows for sure the identity of the artist who illuminated that medieval manuscript so beautifully
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to highlight
to indicate the importance of by centering attention on
the results of the statewide testing illuminated the need to place more focus on instruction in math and science
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to educate
to provide (someone) with moral or spiritual understanding
how man is illuminated by a higher spirit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of illuminate
Another key variable is how the surface of the moon will be illuminated at the time, which depends on exactly when Artemis 2 arrives at the moon.
—
Keith Cooper, Space.com, 5 Apr. 2026
General Daily Insight for April 04, 2026 Cosmic light can illuminate the darkest corners today.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 4 Apr. 2026
On shrill winter nights, Moscow’s power is conspicuous, its Orthodox cathedrals and Stalinist high-rises illuminated, though the view falls dim in the autumn and spring, shrouded in sheets of greige.
—Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
The film takes liberties with timelines and events; some are real incidents, while others are fabricated or dramatized to illuminate the challenges that the real-life Johnson, Jackson, and Vaughan faced in their work and their lives.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illuminate
Keith Cooper, Space.com, 5 Apr. 2026
General Daily Insight for April 04, 2026 Cosmic light can illuminate the darkest corners today.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 4 Apr. 2026
On shrill winter nights, Moscow’s power is conspicuous, its Orthodox cathedrals and Stalinist high-rises illuminated, though the view falls dim in the autumn and spring, shrouded in sheets of greige.
—Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
The film takes liberties with timelines and events; some are real incidents, while others are fabricated or dramatized to illuminate the challenges that the real-life Johnson, Jackson, and Vaughan faced in their work and their lives.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illuminate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illuminate
Verb
-
Geraldine walked over to Felix and Jane’s for fish soup, through long autumn shadows in the park, haze rising like smoke from the grass, illumined by the low sun.—
Tessa Hadley,
New Yorker,
25 Jan. 2026
-
These fruits are tiny stars, planets in arm’s reach, little moons reddened by desire and cunning, the sun, at each step, illumines the petals of the dogwood flowers, their bright yellow is dimmed by no leaf, on their still-bare branches the first fissure in winter opens up by magic.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 May 2025
Verb
-
Using a synesthetic logic all his own, Torres explains why Dwayne (the Rock) Johnson is orange, Catholicism is purple, and navy blue is the nefarious color that secretly runs the world.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
-
For an overview of small business tax responsibilities, see IRS Publication 583, which explains general filing and recordkeeping requirements.—
Nancy Ashburn,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
City’s second goal, which in effect ended the game, illustrated both.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Through a blend of archival recordings and contemporary interviews, the series illustrates how the church became a sanctuary for its community, honoring both their faith and queerness while fostering joy and connection during a time of profound grief.—
Patrick Hipes,
Deadline,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Another heart highlighted the lasting impacts from the redlining of Troost Avenue a century ago, which long served as a dividing line of racial segregation in Kansas City.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Capricorn December 22 – January 19 The universe is highlighting home chores and other private duties.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Signs educate guests on the process of how the agave is fermented with yeast in large tanks and wooden vats.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
7 Apr. 2026
-
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Yearning to light some tech on fire is a relatable feeling these days, as generative artificial intelligence promises to supplant nearly every form of non-physical labor, social media wreaks havoc on the mental health of young people, and massive data centers loom as environmental blights.—
Kyle Chayka,
New Yorker,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Balat then allegedly lit that device and ran with it before dropping it.—
Alexa Herrera,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
If a client presentation collides with family plans, clarify expectations early and ask for support where needed, then show leadership by offering a fair, workable path.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2026
-
At that time, Netflix adjusted its terms to state that contract terms could one day change due to technological, security, or regulatory needs, to clarify clauses, or to provide changes to the service, Il Sole 24 Ore reported.—
Scharon Harding,
ArsTechnica,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Baugh, too, emphasized the generational divide.—
Antonia Hitchens,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
This emphasizes the attackers more.—
PJ Green
April 5,
Kansas City Star,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illuminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illuminate. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
