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
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
Florida’s public universities provide an illuminating contrast.
—Jason Jewell, Sun Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026
Owen D. Jones, The Conversation, 26 May 2026
History at its best is illuminating.
—Julian Sancton, HollywoodReporter, 25 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for illuminating
Adjective
After all, this month energizes your fifth house of creativity, romance and self-expression in a way that feels both exciting and illuminating.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
Florida’s public universities provide an illuminating contrast.
—Jason Jewell, Sun Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
In law, this perspective is illuminating such insights as the origins of the sense of fairness in primate relatives.
—Owen D. Jones, The Conversation, 26 May 2026
History at its best is illuminating.
—Julian Sancton, HollywoodReporter, 25 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for illuminating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illuminating
Adjective
-
The most instructive parallel to today’s AI boom may be the railroad construction boom of the 1870s and 1880s.—
Fortune,
Fortune,
2 June 2026
-
The political economy of Michigan provides an instructive explanation.—
Andrew Cockburn,
Harpers Magazine,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Narula discussed the potential links between GLP-1s and breast cancer, explaining that after menopause, fat cells produce estrogen throughout the body, and higher levels of estrogen could translate to a higher risk of breast cancer.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 June 2026
-
After taking fans along to a series of appointments, Mellencamp posted a video of her doctor explaining the status of her disease.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
The activation created a cultural moment, illustrating what tech merchandise can achieve.—
Jay Deutsch,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
-
The gesture drew thunderous applause from the audience of more than 5,000 guests, and the event raised nearly $700,000, illustrating how Gaultier used his platform to raise awareness and funding for a key American charity.—
Miles Socha,
Footwear News,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
Mike Tirico, Jamal Crawford, and Reggie Miller discusses why San Antonio could be a contender for years to come, highlighting Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs' chemistry and its long-term outlook.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
4 June 2026
-
For Bottoms and Kirkmeyer, who hail from different ideological factions of the GOP, the debate was a chance to close with and criticize Marx while highlighting their own goals and plans.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Classrooms in turmoil On Sundays after church, community members used to stop and commend Kimberly Huffman for educating local kids about the Constitution.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
-
While there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to educating consumers about cotton, Sylvester said what Cotton Incorporated has built with LoveShackFancy—and continues to build across its partnership portfolio—is proof that consumer marketing for a fiber works.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
Fatty acids showed an opposite but equally informative pattern.—
Gideon Yoffe,
The Conversation,
29 May 2026
-
That’s helped set Waymo apart from its much smaller autonomous-vehicle rival, Tesla’s Robotaxi service, which redacts the most informative parts of its safety data and ignores press queries.—
Rob Pegoraro,
PC Magazine,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Caught unprotected off the port of Saint-Nazaire, the ship was sunk by German planes, the attack lighting a resulting fuel spill.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
-
Design is modern and clean-lined—muted tones, patterned wallpaper, and enough art and lighting drama to feel fun without tipping into theme.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Later amendments also addressed concerns from Senate Republicans, Secure AI, Anthropic and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency by clarifying third party qualifications, what the audit should include and protocols for protecting proprietary information.—
Jenna Schweikert,
CBS News,
28 May 2026
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The conclusion is unflattering for the technology and clarifying for the leader.—
Omer Qureshi,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illuminating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illuminating. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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