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
These times mark the exact instant of full illumination.
—
Anthony Wood, Space.com, 1 May 2026
During these times, the easiest way to help birds is to turn off unneeded lights at night and to close curtains or blinds to keep interior illumination from spilling outside.
—K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 24 Apr. 2026
The lighting should fall into warmer tones like amber and pale pink, and dimmer switches help control the level of illumination.
—Kate Donovan, Martha Stewart, 20 Apr. 2026
There's also a flowing constellation of 10,500 individual lights in different sizes for ambient illumination around the doors and seats.
—New Atlas, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illumination
Anthony Wood, Space.com, 1 May 2026
During these times, the easiest way to help birds is to turn off unneeded lights at night and to close curtains or blinds to keep interior illumination from spilling outside.
—K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 24 Apr. 2026
The lighting should fall into warmer tones like amber and pale pink, and dimmer switches help control the level of illumination.
—Kate Donovan, Martha Stewart, 20 Apr. 2026
There's also a flowing constellation of 10,500 individual lights in different sizes for ambient illumination around the doors and seats.
—New Atlas, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illumination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illumination
Noun
-
Professional commentators tended to see these developments in so many local terms—turning, for their explanations, to national histories, cultures and institutions.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
-
Arthur was taken back to the doctor two additional times in the ensuing weeks and was given various explanations about his condition, including asthma and even anxiety.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
What emerged was not a steady, upward march of brightness.—
Bree Shirvell,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
-
According to internal WayShot data, editing a single social-ready photo typically takes around 20 minutes, as users cycle through brightness adjustments, color grading, and filter experimentation.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
In the home, a pearl-toned aesthetic creates a luminous glow that mimics the gem's bright shimmer.—
Rachel Silva,
Martha Stewart,
15 May 2026
-
Trump is basking in the glow of a high-profile summit with Xi.—
Rob Crilly,
The Washington Examiner,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
In contrast, a decision by a judge is governed by stare decisis, the legal principle that courts must adhere to interpretations of law set by past decisions and that lower courts must follow higher courts when in the same jurisdiction.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
12 May 2026
-
Working with gaffer Jim Plannette, Schiffman referenced classic films while adding his own interpretation, capturing the sequence on 35mm color film stock and converting it to black and white.—
Daron James,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 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
-
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
-
Seen in this light, the announcements from Iran are likely more signaling than a genuine policy proposal.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
17 May 2026
-
The aroma blends grassy cane freshness with vanilla cream, citrus peel, green banana, and light caramel.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
An illustration showing how a stent can support blood flow in an artery.—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
16 May 2026
-
Sibley spent nearly a year working on the digital illustrations for the collection.—
Sarah Raza,
Chicago Tribune,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
Caused by sunlight-scattering dust in the Martian atmosphere, that unexpected brilliance seems to be planet-wide—save for a region near the world’s north pole.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
14 May 2026
-
Also, the brilliance of Tolstoy and Chekhov and Dostoevsky, these geniuses that have gone down in history.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illumination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illumination. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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