1
as in to illumine
to supply with light
a floor lamp illuminates a living room rather nicely
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Beyond core metrics, telemetry should illuminate how players engage with features.
—
Pawan Gaargi, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Expect moments of clarity and flashes of brilliance to illuminate your path.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 28 June 2025
Together, the artworks in the exhibition illuminate critical aspects of Ringgold’s practice and convey how Ringgold, a lifelong educator, presents children as creative, purposeful art makers.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
That process gradually cleared the dense fog, allowing starlight to travel freely through space and illuminating the cosmos for the first time.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for illuminate
Pawan Gaargi, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Expect moments of clarity and flashes of brilliance to illuminate your path.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 28 June 2025
Together, the artworks in the exhibition illuminate critical aspects of Ringgold’s practice and convey how Ringgold, a lifelong educator, presents children as creative, purposeful art makers.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
That process gradually cleared the dense fog, allowing starlight to travel freely through space and illuminating the cosmos for the first time.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for illuminate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illuminate
Verb
-
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
-
The lighting illumines each river in brilliantly bright backdrop colors.—
Mark Swed,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Brad Kirner, director of destination development at Cook Islands Tourism Corporation, explained in the email interview that with tourism making up around 70% of the Cook Islands’ GDP, the border closure due to COVID-19 essentially froze the economy overnight.—
Emese Maczko,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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This sterile male technique, previously explained to Newsweek by Texas A&M Professor Phillip Kaufman, works because female screwworm flies mate only once—flooding areas with sterile males prevents successful reproduction.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 July 2025
Verb
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Anyway, this serves to illustrate how, at the helm, Murati had to address Musk’s input.—
John Werner,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
-
Brooks illustrates this principle by pointing to hospital delivery robots designed to transport dirty dishes and linens.—
Gabriel Snyder,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
Verb
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The controversy highlights a fundamental vulnerability in decentralized prediction markets.—
Boaz Sobrado,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
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This situation highlights the importance of staying vigilant and persistent when dealing with travel companies.—
Christopher Elliott The Travel Troubleshooter,
Sun Sentinel,
7 July 2025
Verb
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Lin was educated in China and Europe, but lived in the U.S. for three decades.—
Emily Feng,
NPR,
5 July 2025
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The public announcement attempts to educate taxpayers of the Form 3520-A reporting obligation, and the Practice Unit seeks to educate IRS examiners of the Form 3520-A penalties.—
Matthew L. Roberts,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2025
Verb
-
June 2025 Queen of Wands: June lights a fire under your already bright and powerful presence, Taurus.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 July 2025
-
Roley, who was found dead near the scene after appearing to have shot himself, is suspected of lighting the brush with a flint fire starter before ambushing the firefighting crew in a mountainous area of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
1 July 2025
Verb
-
Her communications director later clarified on X that Gillibrand had misspoken.—
Rebecca Schneid,
Time,
30 June 2025
-
The new law might not clarify what teachers can display.—
Emma Epperly,
Idaho Statesman,
28 June 2025
Verb
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The All-England Club Lawn Tennis Club emphasizes good sportsmanship and respect for everyone involved in the Grand Slam.—
Skyler Caruso,
People.com,
1 July 2025
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January 2025 Queen of Pentacles: This month emphasizes stability and nurturing, Aquarius.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illuminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illuminate. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.
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