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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of illuminating
Robert Lloyd, Houston Chronicle, 4 Feb. 2026
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
Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 26 Feb. 2026
The observations have led to some illuminating insights about the color, size, speed and trajectory of the interstellar comet.
—Eric Lagatta, AZCentral.com, 26 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.
—Robert Lloyd, Houston Chronicle, 4 Feb. 2026
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
Verb
These events aren’t illuminating, and feel instead like a bleak betrayal.
—Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 26 Feb. 2026
The observations have led to some illuminating insights about the color, size, speed and trajectory of the interstellar comet.
—Eric Lagatta, AZCentral.com, 26 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
-
States passed 90 policies bolstering high school career and technical education in 2024, illustrating its increasing political support.—
Miranda Dunlap,
jsonline.com,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Other nights, third-year forward Brandon Miller continues illustrating why Charlotte drafted him second in 2024.—
James Jackson,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 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
-
The coroner’s role in public health An important role of the coroner’s office is monitoring and educating the public on health risks causing death, Harding said.—
Shannon Tyler
March 6,
Idaho Statesman,
6 Mar. 2026
-
This suggests that educating audiences, artists, curators and policy makers about how technology works could shape the future of the technology in the art world.—
Ionela Bara,
Scientific American,
6 Mar. 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
-
Buy time by clarifying When you're caught off guard, asking a question in return can be a powerful move.—
Melody Wilding,
CNBC,
3 Mar. 2026
-
When user requests are ambiguous, rather than simply assuming one specific interpretation, systems now often ask a clarifying question to reduce the risk of creating frustration or making mistakes.—
Frédéric Dalsace,
Harvard Business Review,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illuminating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illuminating. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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