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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of illuminates
The case illuminates how authorities are enforcing California’s strict ABC independent contractor test, codified at Labor Code section 2775.
—
Dan Eaton, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
At these times, sunlight illuminates exhaust from the rocket's upper stage, which is composed primarily of water vapor and carbon dioxide.
—Robert Z. Pearlman, Space.com, 4 Mar. 2026
His latest book, Chief Executive Coach, illuminates many of these problems.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
His passion for the medium and its great artists illuminates this volume, which is shaped around a list of 100 Black films contextualized in a series of critical short essays by Clark, providing a lively and robust history of global Black filmmaking.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2026
From December to March, the Winter Circle (sometimes called the Winter Hexagon)—a large, circular-type pattern made up of some of the brightest stars—illuminates the night sky and is fully visible in January and February.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 9 Feb. 2026
The holidays are an especially magical time to visit, with festive programming that includes Christmas caroling, holiday markets, and a Christmas yacht cruise, alongside a magnificent Christmas tree that illuminates the main resort courtyard.
—Kat Stinson, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2026
Natural light streaming in through clerestory windows illuminates the living room’s quartzite fireplace, but its wooden elements are the true standout.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 6 Feb. 2026
This Leo Full Moon illuminates confidence, creativity, leadership, and the desire to be seen.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 25 Jan. 2026
Dan Eaton, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
At these times, sunlight illuminates exhaust from the rocket's upper stage, which is composed primarily of water vapor and carbon dioxide.
—Robert Z. Pearlman, Space.com, 4 Mar. 2026
His latest book, Chief Executive Coach, illuminates many of these problems.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
His passion for the medium and its great artists illuminates this volume, which is shaped around a list of 100 Black films contextualized in a series of critical short essays by Clark, providing a lively and robust history of global Black filmmaking.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2026
From December to March, the Winter Circle (sometimes called the Winter Hexagon)—a large, circular-type pattern made up of some of the brightest stars—illuminates the night sky and is fully visible in January and February.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 9 Feb. 2026
The holidays are an especially magical time to visit, with festive programming that includes Christmas caroling, holiday markets, and a Christmas yacht cruise, alongside a magnificent Christmas tree that illuminates the main resort courtyard.
—Kat Stinson, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2026
Natural light streaming in through clerestory windows illuminates the living room’s quartzite fireplace, but its wooden elements are the true standout.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 6 Feb. 2026
This Leo Full Moon illuminates confidence, creativity, leadership, and the desire to be seen.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 25 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illuminates
Verb
-
The skeeter strategy Zheng explains that the challenge with the approach was how to vaccinate the bats.—
Ari Daniel,
NPR,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Perhaps that’s why the filmmaker never explains the reason his parents left.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Perhaps nothing in the book illustrates the challenges faced by the women of the scrappy National Women’s Football League, which formally ran from 1974 to 1989 (though several teams predated the league) more so than a description of one Ohio billboard.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Across these pairings, the retrospective illustrates how early festival exposure and development support helped propel emerging filmmakers onto the international stage.—
Essie Assibu,
Variety,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Paul Advisory & Legal Group PLLC emphasizes that protection strategies are strongest when they are integrated into the business long before a sale is imminent.—
Ascend Agency,
New York Daily News,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Jupiter Direct emphasizes the value of consistent, small habits, rather than momentary, flash-in-the-pan type efforts.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Claire Cameron,
Scientific American,
13 Mar. 2026
-
The seat belonging to David Ko sat empty once again during the March 10 school board meeting of Niles Township High School District 219, which educates students in Skokie, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove and Niles.—
Claire Murphy,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In all areas of life, optimism lights the spark, while discipline keeps the fire burning.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Traditional camping lights that rely on PIR suffer from the same faults that annoy homeowners whose security lights blaze into action at two in the morning when a cat saunters past their garage.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
According to the mayor, the executive order clarifies existing policies related to federal immigration enforcement efforts, details proactive steps that are being taken to protect residents, and outlines the authority of the Baltimore Police Department.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
5 Mar. 2026
-
The dual-pronged approach clarifies exemptions for destruction and sets a standardized reporting format to reduce administrative burdens on companies while boosting transparency across all member states.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Charles Wylie, the museum’s curator of photography, says the exhibit highlights the centrality of the Black experience in American history, from the tragedies to the mundaneness of family life.—
Kamal Morgan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Mar. 2026
-
The Parks Department created an interactive map that highlights all wildflower blooms in the state right now.—
Emilee Coblentz,
Outside,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Mabel befriends many of the animals that fled the glade and eventually inspires them to rise up against Jon Hamm’s Mayor Jerry, who wants to build a highway through the forest.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
9 Mar. 2026
-
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illuminates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illuminates. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
