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
This Leo Full Moon illuminates confidence, creativity, leadership, and the desire to be seen.
—
Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 25 Jan. 2026
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
The trajectory illuminates both the promise and peril of the direct-to-consumer beauty model in 2025, where algorithmic visibility can make or break small brands, and where founder authenticity has become as crucial as product formulation.
—Esha Chhabra, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Copious sunlight illuminates the valley floor fruit, and with the constant cycle of morning fog and cooling influences from the San Pablo Bay, grapes can and do ripen to perfection.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 15 Jan. 2026
At the same time, the film chronicles his personal journey and illuminates the broader story of Cuban immigrants building new lives in America.
—Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 13 Jan. 2026
Equipped with a wide shade and two lightbulbs, this lamp illuminates your desk from multiple angles, giving the area ample light.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 6 Jan. 2026
Like Franzen before her, Cash illuminates the inner workings of a modern family.
—Emma Alpern, Vulture, 30 Dec. 2025
String lighting illuminates the venue within a venue, which is equipped with farm-table seating for up to 120 guests, lush plant walls, its own bar (the tap list for which can be customized) and private restrooms.
—Brandon Hernandez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Dec. 2025
Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 25 Jan. 2026
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
The trajectory illuminates both the promise and peril of the direct-to-consumer beauty model in 2025, where algorithmic visibility can make or break small brands, and where founder authenticity has become as crucial as product formulation.
—Esha Chhabra, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Copious sunlight illuminates the valley floor fruit, and with the constant cycle of morning fog and cooling influences from the San Pablo Bay, grapes can and do ripen to perfection.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 15 Jan. 2026
At the same time, the film chronicles his personal journey and illuminates the broader story of Cuban immigrants building new lives in America.
—Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 13 Jan. 2026
Equipped with a wide shade and two lightbulbs, this lamp illuminates your desk from multiple angles, giving the area ample light.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 6 Jan. 2026
Like Franzen before her, Cash illuminates the inner workings of a modern family.
—Emma Alpern, Vulture, 30 Dec. 2025
String lighting illuminates the venue within a venue, which is equipped with farm-table seating for up to 120 guests, lush plant walls, its own bar (the tap list for which can be customized) and private restrooms.
—Brandon Hernandez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illuminates
Verb
-
Accidental ingestion is safe for healthy adults, says Wang, who explains that the hard outer coating of citrus seeds prevents the release of potential toxins, allowing the seeds to pass through the body undigested.—
Stacey Lastoe,
Southern Living,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Carmi explains that progress was not linear for him, but the journey still feels well worth the challenges.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Manufacturing Innovation Is Scaling Solar’s Next Phase At the manufacturing and supply-chain level, SolarEdge’s January 2026 announcement illustrates how solar technology providers are adapting to rapid global growth.—
Dianne Plummer,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Sanders threatening football players with monetary fines for failing to report to work illustrates his control as coach.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The renewal was announced during a panel on Wednesday at the Göteborg Film Festival‘s TV Drama Vision and emphasizes the success of the collaboration, which has already spawned 24 original series in several stages of development, production and release.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
28 Jan. 2026
-
According to Fauna, Sprout’s design also emphasizes human-robot interaction.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Cody Cottier,
Scientific American,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Proceeds from the concert will benefit the Painted Turtle, which provides a summer camp experience for kids with serious medical issues, and the Bridge School, which educates children with severe speech and physical disabilities.—
Daniel Kreps,
Rolling Stone,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Status lights The best bed alarms have status lights that relate varying pieces of information.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Taylor then lights a cigarette, sets the tchotchkes aflame, and fury-walks out the door.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The ordinance clarifies existing rules and ensures they are upheld by county contractors, grantees and leaseholders.—
Alexandra Mendoza,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Jan. 2026
-
The ad clarifies that Ye now believes the diagnosis of bipolar disorder.—
Chris Murphy,
Vanity Fair,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The show highlights curiosity and problem-solving, while quietly breaking down stereotypes about Black people, and expands what kids imagine is possible for themselves.—
Lynnette Nicholas,
Parents,
30 Jan. 2026
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This detail highlights the complexity of color, mirroring how tweeds that appear predominantly green or brown are, in fact, woven from a rich spectrum of threads, including yellow and fuchsia — all the colors of the rainbow.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Part of the writer’s job—well, maybe all of it—is to leave behind a text that inspires feeling and debate.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Artificial intelligence inspires both excitement and anxiety, and few people are as well equipped to separate signal from noise as Rajeev Kapur.—
Rodger Dean Duncan,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illuminates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illuminates. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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