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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of illumination
While animated at walk-up and walk-off, the illumination pattern settles into a static state when the vehicle is in operation.
—
Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Aug. 2025
In all cases, the full moon adds an element of illumination, transformation and positive energy to the event.
—Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Beyond the excellent illumination, what sets this security camera apart is the clever dual-lens design, comprising a 3K wide-angle lens and a 2K telephoto lens that offers up to 8X zoom.
—Simon Hill, Wired News, 11 July 2025
August's full moon will reach peak illumination at 4:55 a.m. Central Time.
—Diana Leyva, The Tennessean, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for illumination
Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Aug. 2025
In all cases, the full moon adds an element of illumination, transformation and positive energy to the event.
—Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Beyond the excellent illumination, what sets this security camera apart is the clever dual-lens design, comprising a 3K wide-angle lens and a 2K telephoto lens that offers up to 8X zoom.
—Simon Hill, Wired News, 11 July 2025
August's full moon will reach peak illumination at 4:55 a.m. Central Time.
—Diana Leyva, The Tennessean, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for illumination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illumination
Noun
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Without any explanation, the Supreme Court cleared the way for the Trump Administration to begin dismantling a cabinet agency, created by Congress, that is tasked with fulfilling the federal government’s obligation to support public education.—
Andrea Campbell,
Time,
6 Aug. 2025
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Why Gartner’s Stock Fell 28% Gartner’s stock fell sharply because the company significantly lowered its growth forecast for the core Insights business line and failed to offer a compelling explanation for why and what Gartner would do to revive its double digit growth.—
Peter Cohan,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
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This means that the light source features red, green and blue lasers that merge for 5,000 ANSI lumens brightness and 110% coverage of the BT.2020 color space.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
15 Aug. 2025
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For brightness and crunch, the salad is tossed with a citrus vinaigrette and, just before serving, garnished with cilantro and smoked almonds.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
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For an entire week, the flashing blue and red lights of police vehicles cast eerie glows inside residents’ homes, while helicopters and drones hummed relentlessly overhead.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
10 Aug. 2025
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The typical galaxy in that sample is 100 times fainter than the natural glow in the nighttime air in the Earth's atmosphere, so this Rubin Observatory program depends on near-total natural darkness.—
Richard Green,
Space.com,
10 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Highest 2 Lowest — which is a modern-day interpretation of iconic director Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 crime thriller High and Low — is opening in 300 theaters in what appears to be more of a run to qualify for awards season.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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These new interpretations trim the excess, leaving only the scores intact.—
Scottie Andrew,
CNN Money,
10 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Pinnacle of splendor On Sunday morning, April 27, Venus comes up in total darkness while shining at its greatest brilliancy (magnitude –4.7).—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
4 Apr. 2025
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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
Noun
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When the lights got brighter at MetLife Stadium, Dart once again showed why the Giants traded back into the first round of this year's draft to select Dart.—
Justin Grasso,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Aug. 2025
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Just 18 wins came from the last 76 games played on Wearside before the Premier League lights were turned off in the spring of 2017.—
Philip Buckingham,
New York Times,
17 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Topline The Department of Homeland Security has posted illustrations depicting the beauty of 1940s Washington, D.C., across multiple social media posts this week, drawing criticism from some who say the Trump administration is glorifying a pre-civil rights era United States.—
Conor Murray,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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Newsweek illustration showing redistricting states.—
Theo Burman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Aug. 2025
Noun
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He’s done a fair imitation of Brown, whose brilliance in 1998 helped to create Petco Park. Before Thursday, the Padres were a good but flawed team, one that stood 11 games above .500 and trailed the Dodgers by three games in the National League West race.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 Aug. 2025
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The new leader is Kenyatta Jackson Jr., who has been waiting in the wings for his chance to step up and has shown flashes of brilliance, albeit in limited snaps.—
Cameron Teague Robinson,
New York Times,
30 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illumination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illumination. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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