1
as in to educate
to provide (someone) with moral or spiritual understanding
a favorite line of an Eastern Church hymn reads, "through fast-closed doors Thou camest Thy Disciples to illume"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to illumine
to supply with light
during the vigil service the church's Gothic interior was illumed by the light of hundreds of tapers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illume
Verb
-
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Joseph Howlett,
Scientific American,
19 May 2026 -
Several teachers on the staff have been a part of Ocean Week since its origins in 1993 including Halboth, Linda Tan and Christi Walter—all three are retiring this spring after giving 35 years of educating Rancho Santa Fe students.—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
Fantastic, illumined by periodic excursions into surrealism, as when the crew of a mysterious UFO boards a transpacific Kahuna Airlines jet midflight.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Geraldine walked over to Felix and Jane’s for fish soup, through long autumn shadows in the park, haze rising like smoke from the grass, illumined by the low sun.—
Tessa Hadley,
New Yorker,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
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While Kendrick Lamar was conquering the hip-hop world, Rashad was honing an introspective style inspired by Southern hip-hop pioneers like Lil Wayne and OutKast.—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
-
And, if bright white pants aren’t your thing, keep reading for off-white styles inspired by Martha Stewart and Joanna Gaines.—
Rylee Johnston,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
The 1000-page night sits on the outer limit of Clarke’s professional life, but identifying that margin is illuminating.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 May 2026
-
The Disney World version of Soarin’ Across America ends with Epcot’s Spaceship Earth attraction illuminated in red, white, and blue and Tinker Bell sprinkling pixie dust on the Florida theme park as patriotic fireworks explode overhead.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
18 May 2026
Verb
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Terminus always made sure their arrival came just after nightfall when the streetlights were lit and families were sitting back with full bellies bumping against their dinner tables, houses quiet; all conversation having already been spent between forkfuls of food and hearty swallows of drink.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
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The park will feature professional grade fields, lighting for extended play, learning centers and flexible gathering spaces, and will expand access to soccer for all ages for years to come.—
Miceal Chamberlain,
Boston Herald,
19 May 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Illume.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illume. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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