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
Sarris hopes that the novel illuminates an uncomfortable history of Sonoma County that remains largely invisible, looming beneath the soil of wine country.
—
Maddie Connors,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2026
The people in the margins Reading the grievances also illuminates a diverse cast of characters, one different from the 56 white men who signed the declaration, of whom nearly all were wealthy and of whom the majority had been enslavers.
—
Robert Parkinson,
The Conversation,
24 June 2026
In nearly every scene, the cockpit illuminates Fox in a gross green glow.
—
James Perkins Mastromarino,
NPR,
24 June 2026
The solar charging panel illuminates lights for up to eight hours, and there are eight colors—white, red, orange, yellow, green, teal, blue, and purple—to choose from.
—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 June 2026
Math illuminates how traffic flows, how our cells build proteins and even how to speed up medical imaging scans.
—
Carolyn Y. Johnson,
Washington Post,
14 June 2026
Compact and endlessly charming, Touch of Gold® Holly shines year-round with brilliant golden foliage that illuminates the garden.
—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
11 June 2026
Venus shines to the right in the image, surrounded by a diffuse haze as the sunlight reflected off its surface illuminates a wisp of cloud during its passage through Earth's atmosphere.
—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
9 June 2026
Discreetly in a back corner is the reception desk, and a large chandelier illuminates the fresh flower arrangements below.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Maddie Connors,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2026
The people in the margins Reading the grievances also illuminates a diverse cast of characters, one different from the 56 white men who signed the declaration, of whom nearly all were wealthy and of whom the majority had been enslavers.
—
Robert Parkinson,
The Conversation,
24 June 2026
In nearly every scene, the cockpit illuminates Fox in a gross green glow.
—
James Perkins Mastromarino,
NPR,
24 June 2026
The solar charging panel illuminates lights for up to eight hours, and there are eight colors—white, red, orange, yellow, green, teal, blue, and purple—to choose from.
—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 June 2026
Math illuminates how traffic flows, how our cells build proteins and even how to speed up medical imaging scans.
—
Carolyn Y. Johnson,
Washington Post,
14 June 2026
Compact and endlessly charming, Touch of Gold® Holly shines year-round with brilliant golden foliage that illuminates the garden.
—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
11 June 2026
Venus shines to the right in the image, surrounded by a diffuse haze as the sunlight reflected off its surface illuminates a wisp of cloud during its passage through Earth's atmosphere.
—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
9 June 2026
Discreetly in a back corner is the reception desk, and a large chandelier illuminates the fresh flower arrangements below.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illuminates
Verb
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Teamwork thrives when boundaries are crisp, as the radiant Sun lights your 11th House of Friends in a quincunx to Pluto in your 6th House of Work.
-
The ceiling lights in the kitchen are the Alabax Large Surface Mount design by Schoolhouse Electric.
Verb
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The combination probably explains the excessive growth, turning the water surface an opaque green and preventing onlookers from seeing the new blue hue of the concrete basin.
-
Leus explains that the INXS tune was important to the filmmakers and encapsulated the relationship between Jo and Raissa.
Verb
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What this illustrates, though, is that nations vying for AI power understand that there’s more than one way to skin a cat.
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While removal from the Dow did not necessarily cause Intel's rebound, still, the performance illustrates why index deletion does not always lead to further losses, especially for struggling stocks.
Verb
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Musk has sought for more than a decade to get the public comfortable with SpaceX’s approach to rocket development, which emphasizes testing cheap prototypes in flight and embracing the occasional mishap rather than trying to guarantee perfection.
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Over in Formula 1, Peter Kenyon, an advisor of Atlassian Williams F1 Racing Team, emphasizes the important of getting the right people on your team to help build your culture.
Verb
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SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.
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This surge is credited to Kiss the Ground's positive storytelling, which educates consumers on the benefits of RA.
Verb
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The Davines Heart of Glass Silkening Shampoo is a toning shampoo for blonde and gray hair that gently clarifies and banishes brassiness.
-
This article clarifies that this promise is about expanding opportunity for all to pursue success, not guaranteeing identical outcomes.
Verb
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The work also highlights how much remains unknown regarding the chemistry of wine bottles and their cork sealing systems.
-
This rebalance, effective June 22, highlights how passive investing automatically dictates holdings.
Verb
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Pay attention to who celebrates your growth, inspires you and supports your endeavors.
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SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.
Cite this Entry
“Illuminates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illuminates. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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