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
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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
The third quarter moon (Aug. 16) The passing of the full moon will see the terminator return to sweep over the eastern limb of the lunar surface until, finally, on Aug. 16, the third quarter moon will rise, with its right half bathed in shadow and its left illuminated by direct sunlight.
—
Anthony Wood, Space.com, 2 Aug. 2025
The full moon in your sign on the 12th should illuminate any relationships that may need to evolve, change, or end in your life.
—Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Aug. 2025
Boggs illuminates the writer’s life through four key formative relationships, intimate or creative: the painter Beauford Delaney, his lover in Paris Lucien Happersberger, the Turkish actor Engin Cezzar, and the French artist Yoran Cazac.
—Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 1 Aug. 2025
Venus enters Cancer on July 30th, illuminating your public image and long-term goals.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 27 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for illuminate
Anthony Wood, Space.com, 2 Aug. 2025
The full moon in your sign on the 12th should illuminate any relationships that may need to evolve, change, or end in your life.
—Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Aug. 2025
Boggs illuminates the writer’s life through four key formative relationships, intimate or creative: the painter Beauford Delaney, his lover in Paris Lucien Happersberger, the Turkish actor Engin Cezzar, and the French artist Yoran Cazac.
—Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 1 Aug. 2025
Venus enters Cancer on July 30th, illuminating your public image and long-term goals.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 27 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for illuminate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illuminate
Verb
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Rev 21:10), an ark of salvation sailing through the waters of history and a beacon that illumines the dark nights of this world.—
Daniel Burke,
NPR,
9 May 2025
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The lighting illumines each river in brilliantly bright backdrop colors.—
Mark Swed,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Their offensive approach, Lindor explained, derived some from conversations with Little Leaguers about keeping it simple.—
Tim Britton,
New York Times,
18 Aug. 2025
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Here, Katie Bergstrom, a fitness trainer and yoga instructor, explains how to get started.—
Health Editorial Team,
Health,
18 Aug. 2025
Verb
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But the past 11 games have illustrated how the Padres are at their best.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Aug. 2025
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This phase of the series illustrates the intricate psychological tactics used in espionage, where family bonds and loyalty become tools for manipulation and control.—
Isabella Wandermurem,
Time,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Each of the book’s chapters — which additionally include California, Mont Blanc, Mozambique, China and Russia — employs the same tools to highlight a different version of a similar narrative, with striking results.—
Zoe Whitfield,
CNN Money,
12 Aug. 2025
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Topline Elon Musk attacked Apple in a series of posts on X, accusing the iPhone-maker of refusing to highlight his social media platform and AI chatbot Grok on the App Store and boosting his rival and ChatGPT-maker OpenAI’s products instead.—
Siladitya Ray,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Born in 1972 in Agrigento in Sicily, Barba was educated at the Kunsthochschule für Medien Köln.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
6 Aug. 2025
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That her book and advocacy can educate and, over time, effect change.—
Danielle Bacher,
People.com,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
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But reading a great part in a great script still lights a fire in him.—
Joe Otterson,
Variety,
18 Aug. 2025
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Elizabeth Hinton has claimed that the inhabitants of the Bronx lit more fires than their landlords did.—
Daniel Immerwahr,
New Yorker,
18 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Board President Sallie Overbey clarified for the board that insurance premiums would also not be affected if the bees are returned to the roof.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Aug. 2025
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Editor’s note, Aug. 16, 2025: This article has been updated to clarify a quote from CEO Keyvan Mohajer, who misspoke earlier. Introducing the 2025 Fortune Global 500, the definitive ranking of the biggest companies in the world.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
16 Aug. 2025
Verb
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In contrast to other, more mainstream Civil Rights organizations, SNCC leaders began to emphasize Black separatism, which alienated white participants.—
Time,
Time,
7 Aug. 2025
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That newest edition of the game emphasizes fun over following the rules to a T, and actual play is a great demonstration of how that looks at a game night, said Justice Arman, managing game designer of Dungeons & Dragons.—
Scott Greenstone,
NPR,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illuminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illuminate. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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