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
What time is peak illumination for the full moon in February 2026?
—
John Tufts, IndyStar, 28 Jan. 2026
One of the most magical ways to experience the Eiffel Tower doesn't require a ticket; simply watch the nightly illuminations, when the landmark sparkles for five minutes every hour, on the hour.
—Todd Plummer, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
As that title suggests, the overarching theme is illumination of various sorts, including the natural and the cerebral.
—Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026
Writing, which is a kind of paying attention, can be an act of love, an illumination.
—Literary Hub, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illumination
John Tufts, IndyStar, 28 Jan. 2026
One of the most magical ways to experience the Eiffel Tower doesn't require a ticket; simply watch the nightly illuminations, when the landmark sparkles for five minutes every hour, on the hour.
—Todd Plummer, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
As that title suggests, the overarching theme is illumination of various sorts, including the natural and the cerebral.
—Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026
Writing, which is a kind of paying attention, can be an act of love, an illumination.
—Literary Hub, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illumination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illumination
Noun
-
The challenge is confirming biological activity while eliminating non-biologic explanations.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Then, as Musk has been prone to do, the former presidential adviser disregarded much of his previous explanation and said that building a civilization on Mars was still an option, just that building on the Moon is SpaceX’s current priority.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Kickstarter campaign is also offering a slightly less capable model that's ticks all of the above boxes except for brightness, which comes in at 2,600 ISO lumens for the Pro variant.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Giving the camera longer exposure increases brightness but may reduce definition if the aurora is active.—
Lydia Price,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Its glow fell upon the select gathering, personally assembled by Soo Hoo — among them, founder of the Vivino wine app, Heini Zachariassen, certified Master of Wine and commentator Ned Goodwin and editor-in-chief of The Wine Advocate, William Kelley.—
Pin Yen Tan 9 min ago,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The sun's coming up over the mountains, and there's this glow to it.—
Taylor Eisenhauer,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Under the new rules, cardrooms say some of their most popular games may have to be eliminated or significantly changed to comply with the new interpretation of state law.—
Charlie Lapastora,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Our Floriography Dictionary Sources vary on what different flowers symbolize—this is art, not science—but these are some of our favorite interpretations.—
Kathy Barnes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Feb. 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
-
Auroral arcs form when fast-moving electrons, juiced by Alfvén waves, hit atoms in our atmosphere, releasing light in towering bands.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Afternoon light sweeps across the terrace, casting long shadows along arches and curved walls.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The more the industry accelerates, the more impactful fashion illustration feels.—
Laird Borrelli-Persson,
Vogue,
6 Feb. 2026
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Crespi junior forward Cayman Martin epitomizes that illustration after playing junior varsity basketball his sophomore season and blossoming into one of the team’s most reliable players.—
Tarek Fattal,
Daily News,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Basketball brilliance turned this frigid afternoon into a hot Fudd Sunday.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Melissa Ruggieri The emerging brilliance of Olivia Dean was not only recognized by Grammy voters, who awarded her best new artist, but by legendary music mogul Clive Davis.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
2 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illumination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illumination. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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