illuminate

verb

i-ˈlü-mə-ˌnāt How to pronounce illuminate (audio)
Definition of illuminatenext
1
as in to illumine
to supply with light a floor lamp illuminates a living room rather nicely

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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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of illuminate Next up is the Open Sea exhibit, where Pacific mackerel circle and meticulously illuminated jellyfish pulsate. — Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 20 July 2026 To capture bright, clear images, the researchers installed a ring of 18 LEDs that use green, red, and blue light to illuminate the inside of the gripper. — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 20 July 2026 The juxtaposition of the two messages illuminates the deepening faultlines and anxieties within the technological competition between the US and China, which the rapid rise of AI is only deepening. — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 17 July 2026 The singer took the late-night show stage, illuminated with a brilliant red backdrop, and offered an impassioned take on the song. — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for illuminate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illuminate
  1. illumine
  2. explain
  3. illustrate
  4. highlight
  5. educate
  6. light
  7. clarify
  8. emphasize
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
Definition of illumine
Verb
  • But Antonelli’s ease with the new cars and Russell’s discomfort with having to adopt a radically new driving style can’t explain the half-second gap between the pair in qualifying.
    — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 20 July 2026
  • When pressed repeatedly by a Fox News cohost for specifics on the operation, Homan explained that disclosing that type of information could risk officer safety and prompt criminals to flee.
    — Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 20 July 2026
Definition of explain
Verb
  • Still, as the season’s profits illustrate, carefully picking home run props can leave bettors in the black.
    — Josh Shepardson, Forbes.com, 24 July 2026
  • For Peverill Squire, a retired University of Missouri political science professor, those conflicting arguments illustrate the idea that the preferred outcome of a modern political campaign is more important than being ideologically consistent.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026
Definition of illustrate
Verb
  • These features, offering rewrite, proofread, and summarize options, appear as a contextual pop-up when text is highlighted.
    — Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • Instead, most Republicans stood firm in a critical hearing with an administration waging a hugely unpopular war, while Democrats highlighted the gap between its premature victory laps and the current stalemate.
    — Arpita Dasika, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
Definition of highlight
Verb
  • The researchers also found that the effects of air pollution on home prices were less acute in neighborhoods where residents were more highly educated and better able to adapt.
    — Daryl Fairweather, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • What began as a public hospital has evolved into one of the nation’s leading academic health systems — advancing groundbreaking research, educating generations of physicians and caregivers, and providing world-class care to patients.
    — Pradeep Khosla, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 July 2026
Definition of educate
Verb
  • Her spot at the support group, which now lights a blue candle with her name etched onto it before every meeting.
    — Jo Yurcaba, NBC news, 18 July 2026
  • However, a handful of the rocket’s 33 Raptor engines failed to light at the vehicle’s ignition, and therefore the launch attempt was aborted automatically.
    — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 17 July 2026
Definition of light
Verb
  • Mars drives your 10th House of Career forward, while Saturn in your 8th House of Shared Resources clarifies obligations, approvals, and support.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 July 2026
  • The bill also clarifies that only those powered by liquid fuel, such as gasoline, require a muffler.
    — Madison Smalstig July 18, Sacbee.com, 18 July 2026
Definition of clarify
Verb
  • Doctors are emphasizing the importance of minimizing your time in the smoke as much as possible.
    — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
  • In its presentation in May, Spirit emphasized that Avon needs more affordable housing.
    — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 17 July 2026
Definition of emphasize

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illuminate
illuminated
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Cite this Entry

“Illuminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illuminate. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of illuminate for Spanish Speakers

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