1
as in to illumine
to supply with light
a floor lamp illuminates a living room rather nicely
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to explain
to make plain or understandable
the museum's exhibit on the refraction of light really illuminated the subject for us
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3
as in to illustrate
to supplement with pictorial matter for the purpose of explanation or decoration
no one knows for sure the identity of the artist who illuminated that medieval manuscript so beautifully
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4
as in to highlight
to indicate the importance of by centering attention on
the results of the statewide testing illuminated the need to place more focus on instruction in math and science
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to educate
to provide (someone) with moral or spiritual understanding
how man is illuminated by a higher spirit
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of illuminate
The device has an LED light that illuminates hidden debris.
—
Isabel Garcia, People.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Stewart said the campground's sign, visible from the family's home nearby, would be illuminated in pink light in her honor after sundown.
—Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 13 Aug. 2025
The city of Lhasa is illuminated by colorful lights Wednesday as the Tibet Autonomous Region readies to celebrate its 60th anniversary.
—Reuters, NBC news, 20 Aug. 2025
In certain markets, including the U.S., the Mercedes-Benz three-point star logo at the center of the grille will also illuminate.
—Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illuminate
Isabel Garcia, People.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Stewart said the campground's sign, visible from the family's home nearby, would be illuminated in pink light in her honor after sundown.
—Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 13 Aug. 2025
The city of Lhasa is illuminated by colorful lights Wednesday as the Tibet Autonomous Region readies to celebrate its 60th anniversary.
—Reuters, NBC news, 20 Aug. 2025
In certain markets, including the U.S., the Mercedes-Benz three-point star logo at the center of the grille will also illuminate.
—Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illuminate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illuminate
Verb
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Rev 21:10), an ark of salvation sailing through the waters of history and a beacon that illumines the dark nights of this world.—
Daniel Burke,
NPR,
9 May 2025
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The lighting illumines each river in brilliantly bright backdrop colors.—
Mark Swed,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Chatbots are designed for tasks like answering questions or helping with services, explains Lokesh Shahani, MD, PhD, MPH, a psychiatrist with UTHealth Houston and chief medical officer at UTHealth Houston Behavioral Sciences Campus.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
18 Aug. 2025
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In a confessional, Darcey explained that transparency is important to her in a relationship.—
Abigail Adams,
People.com,
18 Aug. 2025
Verb
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For example, as illustrated in my analysis here, after accounting for market volatility, generating nearly $500,000 a year in pre-tax income for 45 years would require a $15,000,000 starting retirement portfolio.—
Kristin McKenna,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
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And Breakfast No one’s experience better illustrates Harrisonburg’s magnetic pull than that of Becca and Joel Graham.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
24 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The agency highlighted heavy rainfall as the primary threat and warned of potential flash floods in urban areas, low-lying roadways, streams and burn-scarred landscapes.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Aug. 2025
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They were highlighted for their all-you-can-eat lunch buffet and for being one of the few places in where guests can order St. Louis-style pizza, known for their paper-thing crusts and Provel cheese.—
Noelle Alviz-Gransee,
Kansas City Star,
24 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The general public must be educated about what to do in a disaster.—
Chloe Demrovsky,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
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That is why Alliance for Secure AI continuously works towards educating the regulators.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Sit down with the employee and ask what actually lights them up.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
18 Aug. 2025
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But reading a great part in a great script still lights a fire in him.—
Joe Otterson,
Variety,
18 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Board President Sallie Overbey clarified for the board that insurance premiums would also not be affected if the bees are returned to the roof.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Aug. 2025
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Editor’s note, Aug. 16, 2025: This article has been updated to clarify a quote from CEO Keyvan Mohajer, who misspoke earlier. Introducing the 2025 Fortune Global 500, the definitive ranking of the biggest companies in the world.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
16 Aug. 2025
Verb
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After the meeting, the school's founder and CEO Ahmed White emphasized the need for more alternative forms of education for students the current system may not be reaching.—
Rachel Wegner,
The Tennessean,
21 Aug. 2025
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The mayor also emphasized her intent never was to cancel the contract, only to delay it.—
Taylor Seely,
AZCentral.com,
21 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illuminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illuminate. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.
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