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
Examples of illuminating in a Sentence
the show is an illuminating tutorial on ways to prepare popular dishes using wholesome ingredients
Recent Examples on the Web
The life of Universal Friend proved to be particularly illuminating, especially in how Friend established communities that embodied the ideals for which the American Revolution was fought, while elsewhere in the new nation of the United States those ideals fell woefully by the wayside.
—Literary Hub, 21 Jan. 2026
The reframing of a problem can be an illuminating way to relook at a problem and consider solutions that might otherwise not have been considered or were seemingly outside the scope of consideration.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 5 Jan. 2026
The ultra-cinematic heroics feel too large and dazzling for the material, the classic movie tropes too formulaic, and the illuminating effect of all of it is more mechanical than organic.
—Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 8 Dec. 2025
Molly’s world comes to life in performances from Rob Delaney, Robby Hoffman, Esco Jouléy, Paula Pell, and David Rasche, who turn a show that could come off as cramped and maudlin into a story that feels expansive, joyful, illuminating.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illuminating
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Literary Hub, 21 Jan. 2026
The reframing of a problem can be an illuminating way to relook at a problem and consider solutions that might otherwise not have been considered or were seemingly outside the scope of consideration.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 5 Jan. 2026
The ultra-cinematic heroics feel too large and dazzling for the material, the classic movie tropes too formulaic, and the illuminating effect of all of it is more mechanical than organic.
—Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 8 Dec. 2025
Molly’s world comes to life in performances from Rob Delaney, Robby Hoffman, Esco Jouléy, Paula Pell, and David Rasche, who turn a show that could come off as cramped and maudlin into a story that feels expansive, joyful, illuminating.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illuminating
Cite this Entry
“Illuminating.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/illuminating. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
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