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
Amidst the planetary changes this week, a Supermoon illuminates the sky on November 5.
—
Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 4 Nov. 2025
Some refrigerators have a cleaning button that illuminates to remind you.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 3 Nov. 2025
Sunshine illuminates our morning descent toward Kandersteg.
—Lucy Kehoe, AFAR Media, 31 Oct. 2025
The way ufotable illuminates the scenes in the movie is just so beautiful.
—Billboard Japan, Billboard, 28 Oct. 2025
The new version illuminates, adding a solid degree of coolness.
—James Raia, Mercury News, 26 Oct. 2025
Scorpio season illuminates the balance of power and depth in your closest connections.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
The scene illuminates the story’s preoccupation not with the post-#MeToo world but with performance, hints of which can be found throughout the film.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 22 Oct. 2025
The frame features a front light that gently illuminates the screen when the room is bright, but it cannot be controlled directly.
—PC Magazine, 21 Oct. 2025
Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 4 Nov. 2025
Some refrigerators have a cleaning button that illuminates to remind you.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 3 Nov. 2025
Sunshine illuminates our morning descent toward Kandersteg.
—Lucy Kehoe, AFAR Media, 31 Oct. 2025
The way ufotable illuminates the scenes in the movie is just so beautiful.
—Billboard Japan, Billboard, 28 Oct. 2025
The new version illuminates, adding a solid degree of coolness.
—James Raia, Mercury News, 26 Oct. 2025
Scorpio season illuminates the balance of power and depth in your closest connections.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
The scene illuminates the story’s preoccupation not with the post-#MeToo world but with performance, hints of which can be found throughout the film.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 22 Oct. 2025
The frame features a front light that gently illuminates the screen when the room is bright, but it cannot be controlled directly.
—PC Magazine, 21 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illuminates
Verb
-
But as Lilly explains to Ronnie, telling the truth now won’t do anything to absolve Hank — everyone already thinks Lilly is crazy.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
-
At the train station when Kelley is about to depart, Howie explains his backstory to keep Kelley from leaving.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The work accomplished at Silent Swarm 2025, along with technology such as the TEEMS device, illustrates how the company is architecting the advantage for today’s performance and tomorrow’s success along the tactical edge.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Nov. 2025
-
In a novel that is so alert to where climate change is leading the world, a narrative frame that illustrates migration as linear and largely redemptive feels anachronistic.—
Tope Folarin,
The Atlantic,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
This new approach emphasizes automation and teamwork among machines, focusing on precision instead of relying on large numbers of troops.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The whole team emphasizes the importance of finding partnerships that are authentic, pointing out that fans and viewers would quickly smell if an artist and content, or an artist and a brand, were forced together for pure financial considerations.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
David M. Ewalt,
Scientific American,
7 Nov. 2025
-
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
-
Everything is dark around us, but the collision itself is a source of energy and the flash of it lights us up.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 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
-
Liu clarifies that despite being published under a Japanese pseudonym, Terao Tetsuya, the author is Taiwanese.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Proposition 410 asked voters to ratify language that clarifies language on mayoral term limits.—
Elena Santa Cruz,
AZCentral.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
This week's quiz highlights movie mayhem, decadent desserts and much more.—
Kelly McGreal , Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
-
The suit also highlights the troubled safety record of Boeing’s MD-11 aircraft, calling it one of the most accident-prone commercial planes still in service.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
And then that usually inspires another melody and other parts of the song.—
Julyssa Lopez,
Rolling Stone,
6 Nov. 2025
-
What, these days, inspires you to hit the gym or work hard or pursue success in other ways?—
Scott Feinberg,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illuminates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illuminates. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share