1
as in explanation
a statement that makes something clear
the candidate's so-called illuminations of his views on a number of controversial issues left many voters in the dark
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in brightness
the quality or state of having or giving off light
in that clime the illumination of the full moon on a clear night is so bright that you can practically read by it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in glow
the steady giving off of the form of radiation that makes vision possible
a steady illumination from the flashlight was all I had while changing the tire
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of illumination
While the National Mall has already kicked off the year with illuminations on the Washington Monument, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival will take place June 18 to July 12.
—
Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 17 Jan. 2026
For this year’s peak in the early hours of July 31, only the most dramatic of the Capricornids will drop jaws, as a wanning gibbous moon (98 percent illumination) will spoil dark skies.
—Michael D'estries, Travel + Leisure, 16 Jan. 2026
The Base Station has programmable ambient light rings around the windows for illumination.
—Eric D. Lawrence, USA Today, 15 Jan. 2026
To increase illumination, the researchers went beyond working with MXene.
—Perri Thaler, IEEE Spectrum, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illumination
Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 17 Jan. 2026
For this year’s peak in the early hours of July 31, only the most dramatic of the Capricornids will drop jaws, as a wanning gibbous moon (98 percent illumination) will spoil dark skies.
—Michael D'estries, Travel + Leisure, 16 Jan. 2026
The Base Station has programmable ambient light rings around the windows for illumination.
—Eric D. Lawrence, USA Today, 15 Jan. 2026
To increase illumination, the researchers went beyond working with MXene.
—Perri Thaler, IEEE Spectrum, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illumination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illumination
Noun
-
Certainly not satisfied with official explanations of how this came to pass.—
Dana Goodyear,
New Yorker,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Tyler went on in her response to provide explanations for each of the violations OCPF auditors noted in the disposition.—
Tim Dunn,
Boston Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Only superbright fireballs, with a magnitude of around minus 12 to minus 15 — roughly the same brightness in our sky as the moon — will be visible from our planet.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Meanwhile a separate report promises a striking upgrade for the iPhone 18 display, with greater brightness on offer.—
David Phelan,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Hop in a kayak to catch a glimpse of the enchanting, blue-green glow of the Bioluminescent Bay (which claims to have the brightest bioluminescence in the world), sunbathe on Vieques’s pristine beaches, or marvel at the wild horses that roam around the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge.—
Brittany Chang,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Best Clothing Deals Airport outfits just got a glow-up.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
South Korea’s legislature hasn’t ratified the trade agreement due to a dispute over conflicting interpretations of its implementation.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Jan. 2026
-
His administration has long advocated for a broad interpretation of the Second Amendment.—
BrieAnna J. Frank,
USA Today,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
So, astronomers have come up with a compromise regarding the geometry of the sun's illumination angle on Venus' disk versus its distance from Earth to determine the time of Venus' greatest brilliancy.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
4 Apr. 2025
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Family circles will have wrapped themselves in the holy pleasures of the great occasion, and everywhere the grand old holiday will have been introduced with all the majesty and brilliancy which clings around the hallowed name of Christmas.—
Michael Barnes,
Austin American-Statesman,
23 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Witnesses report that other vehicles besides Good's were blockading unmarked immigration agent vehicles with their emergency LED lights activated.—
Dana Kelley,
Arkansas Online,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Choose from four neutral colors—classic black, chocolate brown, light pink, or a creamy white—to add to your wardrobe rotation.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Or, are you drawn to bright colors, bold illustrations, and more of a maximalist vibe?—
Shelby Wax,
Vogue,
23 Jan. 2026
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Native American artists produce a vast array of art from jewelry and fashion to illustrations and bronzes; among that artwork, some is produced in a traditional style, others in radically contemporary styles.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Alas, her brushes with athletic brilliance proved fleeting.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Throughout the novel, Nikki works tirelessly to prove herself amongst industry male figureheads who don’t value her voice, personhood, and brilliance, while managing pressure from a boss who isn't her advocate and navigating challenging colleagues steeped in misogyny and who are power-hungry.—
Dominique Fluker,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illumination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illumination. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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