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
Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
An evening in Milwaukee last week was an illuminating reminder that the Nuggets’ trade deadline dilemmas pale in comparison to others around the NBA this year.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 1 Feb. 2026
Alyssa Morin, InStyle, 20 Feb. 2026
Valuation reset has certainly been a driver in illuminating many of the Dow Jones companies.
—Jeff Kilburg, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illuminating
Adjective
Gates has assembled a stimulating, illuminating, maddening, saddening, but often inspiring, story of their relations with the world and one another.
—Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
An evening in Milwaukee last week was an illuminating reminder that the Nuggets’ trade deadline dilemmas pale in comparison to others around the NBA this year.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 1 Feb. 2026
Verb
The illuminating skin tint instantly blurs and brightens my complexion and leaves behind a soft-focus glow—almost as if my skin were an IRL filter.
—Alyssa Morin, InStyle, 20 Feb. 2026
Valuation reset has certainly been a driver in illuminating many of the Dow Jones companies.
—Jeff Kilburg, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illuminating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illuminating
Adjective
-
Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox could be instructive.—
Winston Cho,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Feb. 2026
-
The most instructive perspective comes from the port of Torre Annunziata, where two Syrian workers are stationed on an enormous tank loaded with Ukrainian grain.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Jupiter in your 3rd House of Discourse backs you up, so a thoughtful chat with a teammate can rally useful support by explaining who does what.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Mar. 2026
-
This article is part of a series explaining foreign policy terms commonly used but rarely explained.—
Andrew Latham,
The Conversation,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
However, the near quarter-point decline in mortgage rates this year has yet to inspire buyers, illustrating a housing market still struggling to gather momentum.—
Bloomberg,
Oc Register,
25 Feb. 2026
-
That's where the rate has consistently sat in recent weeks, illustrating the stability in the mortgage rate environment currently.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Kremlin has since received thousands of the drones and begun producing them based on Iranian designs, highlighting their reproducible and scalable design.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
5 Mar. 2026
-
His opponent James Fishback — a relative political unknown who has used racist and white nationalist rhetoric throughout his campaign — is highlighting the generational divide around extremism on the right in Florida.—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
And the national government finally accepted responsibility for its participation in the Holocaust, educating the public about it and seeking improved relations with the remaining Jewish population.—
Cary Lowe,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Feb. 2026
-
On the adoption side, educating the public about responsible AI use and practical applications has been a key focus for the team, and continues to be.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Because the release includes a huge archive of Epstein’s emails, many pages are not informative and several are duplicated.—
Elliott Ramos,
CBS News,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Prospective speakers are invited to apply to deliver a keynote address or lead an informative breakout session.—
Post-Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
One single interface could operate everything from lighting to temperature to audio/visual systems.—
Diana Budds,
Architectural Digest,
3 Mar. 2026
-
State-of-the-art sound and lighting complete the experience, making every workout feel elevated.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Nobel Prize had cast a clarifying light backward.—
Natalia Sánchez Loayza,
Scientific American,
26 Feb. 2026
-
The airport released a statement Thursday clarifying its post was intended as a joke.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illuminating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illuminating. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.
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