1
as in illumines
to supply with light
a floor lamp illuminates a living room rather nicely
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in explains
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 illustrates
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 emphasizes
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 educates
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 illuminates
Lipan Point is especially beautiful at sunrise and sunset, when golden light illuminates the canyon walls.
—
Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 17 Oct. 2025
To reach that destination, trust is the North Star—one that illuminates how gen AI will make organizations, and their people, more successful.
—Erik Roth, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2025
In Liliana’s room, a neon lightning bolt lightly illuminates her bed.
—Rachel Hale, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025
The full moon in Libra on the 12th illuminates your relationships, highlighting where you may be stuck in codependent or toxic dynamics.
—Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2025
The Revitalizing Serum, made with mostly natural ingredients including red camellia extract, smooths and illuminates the skin while its counterpart—the Revitalizing Eye Serum—wakes up the gaze.
—Jenny Berg, Vogue, 1 Oct. 2025
The Royal Butter Gloss in Praline is every bit as delectable as the dessert for which it's named, and The Queen's Royal Blush Duo Palette features the most stunning ruby shade that instantly illuminates all skin tones.
—Karina Hoshikawa, Refinery29, 22 Sep. 2025
But twilight illuminates the sky to some extent whenever the sun's upper rim is less than 18-degrees below the horizon.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 19 Sep. 2025
The Center surveys Arizonans about their civic priorities and aims to bring residents together by providing data that illuminates shared public values.
—Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 17 Oct. 2025
To reach that destination, trust is the North Star—one that illuminates how gen AI will make organizations, and their people, more successful.
—Erik Roth, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2025
In Liliana’s room, a neon lightning bolt lightly illuminates her bed.
—Rachel Hale, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025
The full moon in Libra on the 12th illuminates your relationships, highlighting where you may be stuck in codependent or toxic dynamics.
—Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2025
The Revitalizing Serum, made with mostly natural ingredients including red camellia extract, smooths and illuminates the skin while its counterpart—the Revitalizing Eye Serum—wakes up the gaze.
—Jenny Berg, Vogue, 1 Oct. 2025
The Royal Butter Gloss in Praline is every bit as delectable as the dessert for which it's named, and The Queen's Royal Blush Duo Palette features the most stunning ruby shade that instantly illuminates all skin tones.
—Karina Hoshikawa, Refinery29, 22 Sep. 2025
But twilight illuminates the sky to some extent whenever the sun's upper rim is less than 18-degrees below the horizon.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 19 Sep. 2025
The Center surveys Arizonans about their civic priorities and aims to bring residents together by providing data that illuminates shared public values.
—Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illuminates
Verb
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The below-ground theme park, as historian Ashleigh Androsoff explains, offers tours purporting to tell two local stories.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Star Andrew Garfield explains why the characters make things worse for themselves.—
Gerrad Hall,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Gatsby simply couldn’t have existed without Long Island, and the prominence of the novel’s location was noted from the day of publication, as Anne Margaret Daniel illustrates in her article on the author and his relationship with the New Yorker magazine.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
18 Oct. 2025
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The footage illustrates the easy trust and solidarity among the various parents, who appeared to have a tacit agreement that the neighborhood more or less belonged to the kids.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Rick also emphasizes cost avoidance as a discipline distinct from simple cost-cutting.—
Sixteen Ramos,
USA Today,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Paris with a display that emphasizes the poetic potential of materiality.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
23 Oct. 2025
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The nonprofit museum maintains the property and educates the public on Fort Lauderdale’s rich — and relatively young — history.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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At sunset, lights the color of peach orchards, and the road was lit with candles made of honey wax.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Oct. 2025
-
These are for the artful burner, someone who lights a candle as much for its vibe as its aroma.—
Michael Stefanov,
Robb Report,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The announcement clarifies Bordeaux's return to active wrestling following her WWE exit.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Proposition 411 clarifies the city manager’s role.—
Maritza Dominguez,
AZCentral.com,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This week's quiz highlights daring discoveries, classic coffee — and a lot more.—
Khloe Quill , Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
19 Oct. 2025
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Founded in 1962, the museum highlights 200 years of canal history through interactive exhibits, original artifacts, and engaging programs that explore how this engineering marvel shaped New York’s communities and culture, past and present.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Branching results like that inspires experimentation in character builds, which then encourages multiple playthroughs to see just how out-of-hand a situation could have gotten.—
Jason Fanelli,
Rolling Stone,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illuminates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illuminates. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.
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