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
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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
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
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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
Within these nearly three dozen documents are a bunch of curious, surprising, and illuminating things about this year’s Emmy hopefuls.
—
Joe Reid, Vulture, 20 June 2026
Leavenworth is best visited during one of its most festive times, like Oktoberfest and the winter months, especially at Christmas, when over half a million lights illuminate the town and there are holiday events galore from markets to gingerbread contests.
—Zoe Baillargeon, Travel + Leisure, 20 June 2026
God, this shot of all the kids on the street illuminated by their iPads is quite moving.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 19 June 2026
Worn alone, Missha’s illuminating cream delivers youthful, natural-looking radiance.
—Sophie Wirt, InStyle, 19 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for illuminate
Joe Reid, Vulture, 20 June 2026
Leavenworth is best visited during one of its most festive times, like Oktoberfest and the winter months, especially at Christmas, when over half a million lights illuminate the town and there are holiday events galore from markets to gingerbread contests.
—Zoe Baillargeon, Travel + Leisure, 20 June 2026
God, this shot of all the kids on the street illuminated by their iPads is quite moving.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 19 June 2026
Worn alone, Missha’s illuminating cream delivers youthful, natural-looking radiance.
—Sophie Wirt, InStyle, 19 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for illuminate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illuminate
Verb
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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
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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
Verb
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Thune has repeatedly explained that the bill, which Democrats and a handful of Republicans oppose, does not have the votes to pass in the Senate.—
Kaia Hubbard,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
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The Logan star also explains how the strenuousness of the fight scenes doubled as an artistic choice.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 June 2026
Verb
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Woods illustrates Sylvia’s sorrow through flashbacks to her daughter, Nadia (Olivia Edward as a teenager, Emma Farnell-Watson as an adult), who was a ballet dancer.—
Natalia Winkelman,
Variety,
16 June 2026
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Govia said the attack seems to illustrate an underlying issue in society right now.—
Jesse Zanger,
CBS News,
16 June 2026
Verb
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Interior designers highlight common mistakes that can make a living room appear less appealing.—
Sarah Lyon,
The Spruce,
20 June 2026
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Additionally, Schwalbe must navigate voter stereotypes about scientists, highlighting the systemic barriers preventing experts from entering politics despite their valuable skills.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
Verb
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His agent, a Ghanaian called Alex Quaye, was a banker by profession, having been educated in the United States at the University of Charleston.—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
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SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Joseph Howlett,
Scientific American,
16 June 2026
Verb
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Each light also features four bright LEDs that stay lit throughout the night—up to 15 hours.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 June 2026
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Rinderknecht’s attorney has sought to undercut the government’s case, saying nobody saw his client light a fire.—
Jack Hannah,
CNN Money,
21 June 2026
Verb
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Weeks later, Roach amended the order to clarify that cellphones would be prohibited in the courtroom.—
Matthew Davisson,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
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If feedback stings, breathe, then ask one clarifying question so everyone understands your intent.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
19 June 2026
Verb
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Suarez also acknowledged both teams' slow starts, emphasizing the Red Sox's need to contend.—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
22 June 2026
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As Hinkley’s family and fiancée mourn the loss of a young man who still had his entire future ahead of him, prosecutors emphasized the scrutiny applied when criminal allegations involve an on-duty law enforcement officer.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
22 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illuminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illuminate. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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