1
as in to illumine
to supply with light
a floor lamp illuminates a living room rather nicely
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to educate
to provide (someone) with moral or spiritual understanding
how man is illuminated by a higher spirit
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of illuminate
There were some illuminating moments for me from the contributors.
—
Scott Bryan, Variety, 18 May 2026
My family's summer road trip had just gotten underway when an unfamiliar orange exclamation point illuminated the dashboard of our Honda Pilot.
—Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
The original was only yards away in a small room, illuminated by studio lights.
—Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 16 May 2026
That means just a thing silver sliver of Earth's only natural satellite will be illuminated as most of its near-facing side faces away from our planet, NASA explains.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for illuminate
Scott Bryan, Variety, 18 May 2026
My family's summer road trip had just gotten underway when an unfamiliar orange exclamation point illuminated the dashboard of our Honda Pilot.
—Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
The original was only yards away in a small room, illuminated by studio lights.
—Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 16 May 2026
That means just a thing silver sliver of Earth's only natural satellite will be illuminated as most of its near-facing side faces away from our planet, NASA explains.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for illuminate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illuminate
Verb
-
Fantastic, illumined by periodic excursions into surrealism, as when the crew of a mysterious UFO boards a transpacific Kahuna Airlines jet midflight.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
-
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
Verb
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Vrabel, meanwhile, stumbled though multiple press conferences while trying to both avoid and explain the issue without ever really providing details.—
Armando Salguero OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
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This may explain why credit markets barely budged after last week’s spending figures.—
Alaa Shahine Salha,
semafor.com,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Another viral pro-Pratt ad, not produced by Pratt’s own campaign, best illustrates the perils of populist-right energy.—
Conor Friedersdorf,
The Atlantic,
12 May 2026
-
Principles of Scientific Management’s success illustrates the utility, and the power, of the appearance of empiricism.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 May 2026
Verb
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The recent debate over the Broward County surrogacy case highlights a crucial moment in Florida’s fight to protect preborn children.—
Kimberly Bird,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 May 2026
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Industry groups also highlighted concerns around bills that did not pass, despite being beneficial to businesses in the state.—
P.R. Lockhart,
Hartford Courant,
17 May 2026
Verb
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SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Claire Cameron,
Scientific American,
12 May 2026
-
The group, along with other classmates, is working to educate their peers about the potential effects data centers can have on our communities.—
Chierstin Roth,
CBS News,
11 May 2026
Verb
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Alone in his apartment, Ross lit incense and watched the livestream on YouTube.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
18 May 2026
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Welina Terrace, which is only open for dinner, feels a bit fancier; low-lit with live music and epic views of the bay.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 May 2026
Verb
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The next step is finding a place to meet in the middle and clarify what’s unsaid or unclear on both sides.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
15 May 2026
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Check the facts, ask one clarifying question, and let real information settle your nervous system.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Symbolic interactionism emphasizes how people build their identities through social roles and interactions.—
Shianne LeClaire,
Hartford Courant,
17 May 2026
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The man is nameless to emphasize both the singular and the universal nature of his situation.—
Deborah Treisman,
New Yorker,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illuminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illuminate. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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