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
Alyssa Morin, InStyle, 20 Feb. 2026
During a 45-minute interview with the Orlando Sentinel, the Gators’ master motivator and raconteur engaged in an illuminating and riveting conversation.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2026
Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 28 Feb. 2026
These events aren’t illuminating and feel instead like a bleak betrayal.
—Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illuminating
Adjective
Plus, check out more illuminating tinted moisturizers, below.
—Alyssa Morin, InStyle, 20 Feb. 2026
During a 45-minute interview with the Orlando Sentinel, the Gators’ master motivator and raconteur engaged in an illuminating and riveting conversation.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2026
Verb
These events aren’t illuminating, and feel instead like a bleak betrayal.
—Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 28 Feb. 2026
These events aren’t illuminating and feel instead like a bleak betrayal.
—Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illuminating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illuminating
Adjective
-
The reaction in financial markets was instructive.—
Jay Caruso,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
-
O’Brien’s Hot Ones observation is instructive about what fills the void left by traditional late night.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Gassert disagreed with Dominguez’s decision to kick Oliveros out of the house, explaining that an agent’s morality shouldn’t be conditional.—
Tyler Carmona,
Miami Herald,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Now, the Connecticut state legislature is moving to control the curriculum of all schools in the state without explaining why politicians know better than parents how to educate their children.—
Nicholas Tampio,
Hartford Courant,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The film ends up illustrating the limitations of the Storkels’ affection for re-enactments and their general interest in stories that are outlandish enough to be thrilling and bloodless enough to be treated with some measure of whimsy.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Mar. 2026
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But a concurrent image release illustrating the new Artemis framework showed the program's Orion crew capsule flying on a vehicle that was unmistakably neither the ICPS or EUS.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Here’s an alternative view of the same period, this time highlighting the key weekly moving averages (13-week, 26-week, and 40-week) along with a 14-week RSI in the bottom panel.—
Frank Cappelleri,
CNBC,
11 Mar. 2026
-
At least, that’s what TikTok’s most recent POV trend is highlighting.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
She is dedicated to educating others on how to cultivate green spaces and embrace eco-friendly practices.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Data center developers and local political leaders don’t help the situation by not investing enough in educating the public and by routinely obscuring details and keeping secret the names of the companies behind the data centers.—
Mehdi Paryavi,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Your 8th House of Shared Resources steadies as informative Mercury trines idealistic Jupiter in your quiet 12th house.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Yet, very few mix the informative with the tasty better than the Lip Smacking Foodie Tours.—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Also honored were Austin citizen and actor Sonny Carl Davis (Thelma & Louise, Fast Times at Ridgemont High) and the 25th anniversary of Spy Kids, which received the Star of Texas Award; that production lighting a wick to the types of tentpoles which could be shot deep in the heart of Texas.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
12 Mar. 2026
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But instead of simply coating the offending area with air freshener or lighting a candle to mask the odor, learn how to address unwanted smells at the source.—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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And by the subsequent extensive visit at Massachusetts General, where her father saw 14 doctors in three days, something clarifying happened and changed her perspective.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Board members voted unanimously to update the terms of the negotiating agreement during the March 10 meeting, mainly clarifying deadlines for site studies and other analysis, but with no assurance that the city’s November deadline will be met.—
Luke Harold,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illuminating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illuminating. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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