illuminating
adjective
il·lu·mi·nat·ing
i-ˈlü-mə-ˌnā-tiŋ 
: providing insight, clarity, or understanding : highly informative
an illuminating remark/discussion
… much of the information is quite illuminating …—
Glenn Kenny
Glenn Kenny
illuminatingly
adverb
Synonyms
Examples of illuminating in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But the median can often be more illuminating as a data point and is emphasized here.
—Wes Moss, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024
Numerous journalists who cover the White House say Mr. Kirby can be more illuminating and accessible behind the scenes.
—Michael M. Grynbaum, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2024
Connecting with Angeli-Chansley after his prison bid, Kaufman maps their conversations (and JAC’s conspiratorial worldview) against history and science in surprising and illuminating ways.
—Longreads, 22 Mar. 2024
Their clarity is legendary, illuminating nuances in acoustic instruments with dynamic range so wide both bombastic bass lines and ASMR whispers are revealed with meticulous finesse.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 8 Mar. 2024
Although as many as four times the number that traveled into the path of totality on August 21, 2017 are expected to do so this April 8, what happened back then has proved a unique and illuminating guide for communities and cities lucky enough to be inside the path of totality in 2024.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
Beyond such occasional interventions, neither of the female characters is drawn in terribly illuminating detail.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 17 Feb. 2024
For more illuminating details of the debate, check out the story by Times reporters Ben Oreskes and Laura J. Nelson.
—Phil Willon, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2024
Think, Glow Recipe's original (and extremely viral) Watermelon Dew Drops, but with an illuminating tint of pearly golden bronze that gives your skin just the right amount of warmth and glow.
—Talia Gutierrez, Allure, 24 Jan. 2024
Wes Moss, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024
Numerous journalists who cover the White House say Mr. Kirby can be more illuminating and accessible behind the scenes.
—Michael M. Grynbaum, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2024
Connecting with Angeli-Chansley after his prison bid, Kaufman maps their conversations (and JAC’s conspiratorial worldview) against history and science in surprising and illuminating ways.
—Longreads, 22 Mar. 2024
Their clarity is legendary, illuminating nuances in acoustic instruments with dynamic range so wide both bombastic bass lines and ASMR whispers are revealed with meticulous finesse.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 8 Mar. 2024
Although as many as four times the number that traveled into the path of totality on August 21, 2017 are expected to do so this April 8, what happened back then has proved a unique and illuminating guide for communities and cities lucky enough to be inside the path of totality in 2024.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
Beyond such occasional interventions, neither of the female characters is drawn in terribly illuminating detail.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 17 Feb. 2024
For more illuminating details of the debate, check out the story by Times reporters Ben Oreskes and Laura J. Nelson.
—Phil Willon, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2024
Think, Glow Recipe's original (and extremely viral) Watermelon Dew Drops, but with an illuminating tint of pearly golden bronze that gives your skin just the right amount of warmth and glow.
—Talia Gutierrez, Allure, 24 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'illuminating.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1644, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near illuminating
Cite this Entry
“Illuminating.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/illuminating. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
More from Merriam-Webster on illuminating
Nglish: Translation of illuminating for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of illuminating for Arabic Speakers
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share