illuminating 1 of 2

adjective

i-ˈlü-mə-ˌnā-tiŋ How to pronounce illuminating (audio)
Definition of illuminatingnext
as in instructive
providing useful information or knowledge the show is an illuminating tutorial on ways to prepare popular dishes using wholesome ingredients

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illuminating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of illuminate
1
as in illumining
to supply with light a floor lamp illuminates a living room rather nicely

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2
as in explaining
to make plain or understandable the museum's exhibit on the refraction of light really illuminated the subject for us

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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

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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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5
as in educating
to provide (someone) with moral or spiritual understanding how man is illuminated by a higher spirit

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of illuminating
Adjective
The breakdowns were elegant and illuminating. — Andrew Marchand, New York Times, 18 June 2026 Oppenheimer’s team is among the most sophisticated macro analysts on Wall Street, and their framework is genuinely illuminating. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 17 June 2026
Verb
The list of fireworks that aren’t allowed includes bottle rockets, Roman candles, illuminating torches, missiles with fins or rudders and single or multi-shot parachutes with night effects. — Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 30 June 2026 Wuthering Heights is meant to be a hard story, illuminating with breathtaking depth the disastrous human cost of hard emotions within hard lives. — Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for illuminating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illuminating
  1. instructive
  2. lighting
  3. explaining
  4. illustrating
  5. highlighting
  6. educating
  7. informative
  8. clarifying
Adjective
  • There are instructive parallels with the arrival of SSRIs in the 1990s.
    — Max Moser, STAT, 9 July 2026
  • No deal is believed to be close, but the mere fact Blubaugh is being bandied about is instructive.
    — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 2 July 2026
Definition of instructive
Verb
  • Meanwhile, the La Habra Police Department posted a less flashy video to Facebook showing a drone video of a person lighting a firework in the middle of a residential street.
    — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 10 July 2026
  • Masses of young people ages 15 to 25 packed the sand around the Newport Pier, lighting off fireworks that sent sparks into crowds.
    — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of lighting
Verb
  • Carpino retired in April, without ever explaining what was not right in the organization or, based on the standings, repairing it.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • The traditional experience requires waiting on hold, explaining the situation and hoping an agent can help.
    — Shep Hyken, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of explaining
Verb
  • That's a key technical level watched and used by traders, illustrating a stock or index's trend.
    — Zev Fima,Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 5 July 2026
  • Wingate weaves this historical horror with a modern-day mystery, illustrating the lasting trauma of children stolen for profit and the unbreakable bond of blood.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 July 2026
Definition of illustrating
Verb
  • For instance, Airbus alone ended 2025 with a backlog of 8,754 commercial aircraft, highlighting just how far demand has outpaced production capacity.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 5 July 2026
  • Following meetings with management, RBC Capital analyst Gregory Pardy reaffirmed a buy rating on Ovintiv stock with a price target of $70, highlighting that the stock is on RBC's Global Energy Best Ideas List.
    — Tipranks.com Staff, CNBC, 5 July 2026
Definition of highlighting
Verb
  • This story was published in partnership with The War Horse, an award-winning nonprofit news organization educating the public on military service and veterans.
    — Sonner Kehrt, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2026
  • The light-bodied black lager was named in honor of the International Dark Sky Association, which works to combat light pollution by educating people on responsible lighting practices.
    — Jill Robbins, Southern Living, 9 July 2026
Definition of educating
Adjective
  • Assessment will become more continuous and informative rather than episodic and punitive.
    — Lisa Schade, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
  • Meeting conduct rules can be a very positive and informative statement about the community’s values.
    — Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 July 2026
Definition of informative
Verb
  • For an oily scalp, more frequent washing may be necessary, or clarifying shampoos may be useful.
    — Sherri Gordon, Health, 13 July 2026
  • Minutes later royal sources counter-briefed, clarifying that Harry had not formally accepted the invite in time, and that the offer had since been withdrawn.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 8 July 2026
Definition of clarifying

Browse Nearby Words

illuminati
illuminating
illumination
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Cite this Entry

“Illuminating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illuminating. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on illuminating

Nglish: Translation of illuminating for Spanish Speakers

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