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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of illuminate
Amid the chronological retelling of anecdotes and landmark events in Valdez’s storied career, Alvarado also illuminates the elderly master’s personal wounds.
—
Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 23 Jan. 2026
If the light does not illuminate, then the issue could be a wiring issue, module or a sensor nearing the end of its useful life.
—John Paul, The Providence Journal, 23 Jan. 2026
With its petite size, the light can fill up empty nooks and crannies while perfectly illuminating them.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 23 Jan. 2026
Without Emery, Villa’s deficiencies, such as their lack of revenue in comparison to the ‘Big Six’, would be illuminated.
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illuminate
Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 23 Jan. 2026
If the light does not illuminate, then the issue could be a wiring issue, module or a sensor nearing the end of its useful life.
—John Paul, The Providence Journal, 23 Jan. 2026
With its petite size, the light can fill up empty nooks and crannies while perfectly illuminating them.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 23 Jan. 2026
Without Emery, Villa’s deficiencies, such as their lack of revenue in comparison to the ‘Big Six’, would be illuminated.
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illuminate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illuminate
Verb
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These fruits are tiny stars, planets in arm’s reach, little moons reddened by desire and cunning, the sun, at each step, illumines the petals of the dogwood flowers, their bright yellow is dimmed by no leaf, on their still-bare branches the first fissure in winter opens up by magic.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 May 2025
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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
Verb
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As Francisco explained, the Spring Fest is an annual open house in the spring that allows students to discover a wide range of resources.—
Staff report,
Daily News,
23 Jan. 2026
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Lior Torenberg explains what sets the Sad Girl Grifter (SGG) apart from her lying, scheming peers.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Advocates said that finding illustrates the severe lack of housing capacity in Orange County.—
Claire Wang,
Oc Register,
27 Jan. 2026
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Moore’s Law illustrates the exponential growth of computing power over decades—a compounding curve that explains why so many breakthroughs are converging at once.—
Phil Kafarakis,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Tokyo — Japanese fans rushed to farewell the country’s last two pandas on Sunday ahead of their return to China, in a departure that highlights strained relations between the two countries.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
25 Jan. 2026
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Hearings on the impact of AI on public education, as well as jobs, cybersecurity, privacy, the environment, and copyright infringement will highlight the issues and possible legislative solutions.—
Krista Kafer,
Denver Post,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
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SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
27 Jan. 2026
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The talking heads educated the viewers about the basics of climbing, all while host Elle Duncan repeatedly reminded us that Honnold could die at any moment.—
Frederick Dreier,
Outside,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The streets are begrimed by factory smoke, fecund with horse dung and lit by lanterns.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
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No one even lives here, said Chuky, trying to light a cigarette but foiled by a laugh.—
Jonathan Miles,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But during this period, three crucial things happened which clarified (if not calcified) a difference in artistic approach between the two men.—
Paul A. Thompson,
Pitchfork,
23 Jan. 2026
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This article has been updated to clarify the location of Miss B's.—
Abby Hamblin,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Anne Arundel County police said their investigation into the incident is ongoing and emphasized that its officers do not enforce immigration law or conduct ICE operations.—
Karina Tsui,
CNN Money,
13 Jan. 2026
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Researchers emphasize that the full scope of the outbreak among elephant seals may be far greater than current numbers suggest.—
Brian Hackney,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illuminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illuminate. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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