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
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Recent Examples of illuminating
Carlo Versano, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
The season’s soft, golden light spills across galleries of glass and stone, illuminating interiors like living canvases.
—Amplified Content Studio, Mercury News, 24 Nov. 2025
Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025
Sunlight pours through the spa’s floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating neutral tones, palm fronds, and a quartz chandelier.
—Micaela English, Travel + Leisure, 26 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illuminating
Adjective
Thank you so much—really illuminating conversation.
—Carlo Versano, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
The season’s soft, golden light spills across galleries of glass and stone, illuminating interiors like living canvases.
—Amplified Content Studio, Mercury News, 24 Nov. 2025
Verb
The post, which was also shared by Chisholm on his Instagram feed, featured a snap of the athlete getting down on one knee in front of Santiago with the glow of the Northern Lights illuminating the sky behind them.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025
Sunlight pours through the spa’s floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating neutral tones, palm fronds, and a quartz chandelier.
—Micaela English, Travel + Leisure, 26 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illuminating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illuminating
Adjective
-
Early vampire lore was instructive.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
-
The historical precedent is instructive.—
Bobby Ghosh,
Time,
18 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Therefore, telling the story in graphic form on behalf of Ukrainians themselves, explaining the preconditions for Russia’s attempts to erase Ukraine as a sovereign country and Ukrainians as an ethnic group, became extremely relevant.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Nicotine use had the strongest impact on heart health, explaining 34% of the link between late bedtime and heart disease.—
Dr. Joseph Wendt,
ABC News,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The 1,300-student California College of Arts had previously laid off 10% of its staff and instituted a series of budget cuts, illustrating the economic pressures facing small schools that are dealing with increasingly dire finances.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Olous is a rare example of a city slowly claimed by the sea, illustrating how gradual environmental change can erase urban centers over centuries while leaving their remains quietly visible below the surface.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Fowlescombe is all about highlighting local talent.—
Joanne Shurvell,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
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At trial, Smock presents a CT scan highlighting Kevin's injuries, the multiple fractures to his head.—
Peter Van Sant,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The awards recognize Elgin residents, groups and organizations dedicated to preserving Elgin’s historic places and character and educating the community about Elgin’s architecture, neighborhoods and history, according to a news release.—
Mike Danahey,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
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According to Ilko, many landscapers do not yet know about the Zone Zero requirements and his HOA has started educating them when plans are submitted for approval.—
Elizabeth Marie Himchak,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The less familiar experts and social observers are more informative — notably Tristan Harris, co-founder of the advocacy group Center for Humane Technology, and Connor Leahy, founder and CEO of the research company Conjecture.—
Caryn James,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Memes have always carried layered messages that are funny or informative to people who understand them, but indecipherable to outsiders.—
Kaitlyn Huamani,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Resilience is not rooted in things like taking a bubble bath or lighting a candle.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The play features fun, contemporary costumes by Charlie Amon, playful handmade scenery by Jesus Hurtado, tension-building sound design by Michael Moretta, lighting by Stephanie Ma’alona and videos by Mariana Morin.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Rather than clarifying events surrounding Epstein's death, the footage appears to complicate the official narrative, and contradicts some prior statements about the prison's surveillance system.—
Daniel Ruetenik,
CBS News,
31 Dec. 2025
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The death certificates for Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner are clarifying the timeline of their deaths.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illuminating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illuminating. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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