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
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Tensor said the system emphasizes contextual understanding rather than simple object detection, allowing the AI to adapt to complex and unpredictable real-world driving conditions.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Samsung emphasizes that Brain Health is not intended to diagnose medical conditions.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
9 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
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This is about showing up consistently for what lights you up.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
30 Dec. 2025
-
The Aries first quarter moon lights a fire under you to succeed.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
27 Dec. 2025
Verb
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But the resulting blow-by-blow account neither clarifies much about what was going through their minds nor brings them to life as characters.—
Rosa Lyster,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
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Legislators passed a law in 2024 that essentially specifies emotional support animals are not service dogs and clarifies that a dog must be trained or is being trained to perform tasks or work for a person with a disability is allowed.—
Andy Humbles,
Nashville Tennessean,
28 Dec. 2025
Verb
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This week's quiz highlights movie mayhem, decadent desserts and much more.—
Kelly McGreal , Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
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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
-
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The sales pitch rhetoric inspires few.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illuminates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illuminates. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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