as in instructive
providing useful information or knowledge
the show is an illuminating tutorial on ways to prepare popular dishes using wholesome ingredients
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in illumining
to supply with light
a floor lamp illuminates a living room rather nicely
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in explaining
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 illustrating
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 highlighting
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 educating
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 illuminating
Brittany Delay, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2026
However, many statistics can be useful and illuminating.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 8 Apr. 2026
Literary Hub, 10 Apr. 2026
Throughout history, parents worldwide have given their children names with this illuminating meaning.
—Erica Jackson Curran, Parents, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illuminating
Adjective
And somehow all these conversations have been equally illuminating.
—Brittany Delay, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2026
However, many statistics can be useful and illuminating.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 8 Apr. 2026
Verb
Shadows, pink-colored halos, stripes on the moon, and the incandescent glow of the streetlights turned skyward illuminating the row of rooftops populated with what looked like angels holding hands.
—Literary Hub, 10 Apr. 2026
Throughout history, parents worldwide have given their children names with this illuminating meaning.
—Erica Jackson Curran, Parents, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illuminating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illuminating
Adjective
-
The failures are instructive, too.—
Phil Blair,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The late-1990s dot-com boom is instructive.—
Perrie M. Weiner,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The species evolved to adapt, with some growing larger and others smaller than their mainland counterparts, explaining the larger size of the island scrub-jay and the small size of the island fox.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
29 Apr. 2026
-
In 2012, Classic Media was bought by DreamWorks Animation, which in turn was acquired by Universal Pictures parent NBCUniversal in 2016, explaining why the potential Disney+ series is a co-production between DreamWorks Animation TV and UCP.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Touching the Art also delves into erasure and gaslighting, illustrating the all-too-common silencing that occurs when a family member speaks up about violence or abuse.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The original design plans for the Resolute Desk are kept by the National Maritime Museum in London, illustrating the vision for the President's Desk.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Even so, The Pitt‘s 2025 Emmy win for Outstanding Drama Series was a shot in the arm for the hospital genre, highlighting how audiences could respond to gritty storytelling focused on characters working in brutal, relentless circumstances.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Yet, these authors and their peers such as Naomi Schaefer Riley continually shrink this extraordinarily complex problem to outcomes only — framing broken families in deeply dark narratives of horror, highlighting failures and demanding accountability.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The celebration on Wednesday took place at the Holocaust Memorial Education Center – a brand new, state-of-the-art facility dedicated to preserving Holocaust history and educating future generations.—
Steven Yablonski,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
-
Instead, public universities, local governments and regional organizations like the Mekong River Commission have mainly focused on monitoring levels of heavy metals and educating communities about risks.—
Anton L. Delgado,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
This excursion was informative and entertaining, and focused on the intricacies and dangers of fishing off the coast of Alaska.—
Aaron Saunders,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The book is lyrically written and highly informative, diving deep into the common threads and tropes of estrangement in search of clarity.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
When lighting an outdoor space, restraint is essential, Boutlier says.—
Kelly Dawson,
Architectural Digest,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Clean the Light Fixtures Bugs and dust accumulate in porch lighting quickly.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
According to Simpkins, the attorney for the BOE, the department will immediately implement several changes in response to the results of the audit — including clarifying the process for an appeal and notifying taxpayers of their rights and deadlines in a timely manner.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Further clarifying questions from legislators and other interested parties are welcome.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illuminating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illuminating. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
