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
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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
Flora Stubbs, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2026
February begins with snow on the ground in some parts of the world and a Snow Moon illuminating the night sky.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 31 Jan. 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
Sunrays strobed down through the water, illuminating layer upon layer of marine life, falling away to the ocean floor some 15 feet below.
—Flora Stubbs, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2026
February begins with snow on the ground in some parts of the world and a Snow Moon illuminating the night sky.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illuminating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illuminating
Adjective
-
Regardless of these fundamental differences, the story of the Marquis de Morès should be read today as an all too instructive parable.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Feb. 2026
-
De la Rosa’s trajectory is instructive.—
Callum McLennan,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
And Page [McConnell]is sitting backstage with him in one of the dressing rooms explaining that.—
Alison Weinflash,
Rolling Stone,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Beyond Herrington, current Amazon CEO Andy Jassy has prioritized teaching and explaining Bezos’s principles internally, even launching video explanations of each one to help employees interpret them.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Yet Paramount and Disney have both sent cease-and-desist letters to TikTok owner and AI company ByteDance over intellectual property Infringement by AI platforms and services in the last few weeks, illustrating the industry’s ebb and flow with the fast-changing technology.—
William Earl,
Variety,
19 Feb. 2026
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The first issue of Odin will feature variant covers by comic and album artist Alex Eckman-Lawn (Swan Songs), who is illustrating the main Cover A for the full series.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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With so many restaurants to choose from, The Denver Post is highlighting 10 offering an extra something special for their price.—
Miguel Otárola,
Denver Post,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Burlingame is getting a new Mexican restaurant highlighting special regional dishes from around the country, from northern Mexico to Jalisco and Nayarit to Yucatan.—
Kate Bradshaw,
Mercury News,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The bill would cost the Department of Licensing almost $100,000 for a study group to investigate ways to assist law enforcement in regulating e-bikes and educating users about the distinctions between the two types of bikes.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
20 Feb. 2026
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This shaped my care in educating seniors to take part in their health care.—
Jereè Paul,
The Orlando Sentinel,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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As the directors paint a portrait of the JDL and its founder Meir Kahane, the film becomes undoubtedly informative, with enough by way of violent statements made against Arabs, accompanied by spooky music, to really hammer home how scary these forces are.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
17 Feb. 2026
-
The service Grace Hynes, who runs front of house, is as bright as a button and effortlessly informative about what arrives on your plate.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Edwards, who plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves and was named the game’s most valuable player, gave all the credit to Wembanyama for lighting the competitive juices of his fellow All-Stars.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
-
People were lighting their stoves, there would be a hot meal tonight.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
While the moody Moon blurs with powerful Pluto in your 10th House of Career, clarifying your role and long-term direction may be difficult.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Republicans framed the bathroom and driver’s license bill as an addendum clarifying the intent of a separate 2023 bill barring trans women from accessing female-only spaces.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illuminating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illuminating. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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