1
as in inspires
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 illumines
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 illumes
Verb
-
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
9 Jan. 2026 -
The sales pitch rhetoric inspires few.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Proceeds from the concert will benefit the Painted Turtle, which provides a summer camp experience for kids with serious medical issues, and the Bridge School, which educates children with severe speech and physical disabilities.—
Daniel Kreps,
Rolling Stone,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Amidst the planetary changes this week, a Supermoon illuminates the sky on November 5.—
Lisa Stardust,
Refinery29,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Some refrigerators have a cleaning button that illuminates to remind you.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
This is about showing up consistently for what lights you up.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
30 Dec. 2025
-
The Aries first quarter moon lights a fire under you to succeed.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
27 Dec. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Illumes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illumes. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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