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
Guy Lodge, Variety, 23 Nov. 2025
These two parts are juxtaposed with a third, the remarkable photo essay that runs the length of the book, in always fascinating, illuminating, at times devastating, relation to the prose.
—Literary Hub, 13 Nov. 2025
Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025
Sunlight pours through the spa’s floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating neutral tones, palm fronds, and a quartz chandelier.
—Micaela English, Travel + Leisure, 26 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illuminating
Adjective
Not merely decorative, the animations serve as an illuminating expansion of the subject’s vivid and distinctive worldview.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 23 Nov. 2025
These two parts are juxtaposed with a third, the remarkable photo essay that runs the length of the book, in always fascinating, illuminating, at times devastating, relation to the prose.
—Literary Hub, 13 Nov. 2025
Verb
The post, which was also shared by Chisholm on his Instagram feed, featured a snap of the athlete getting down on one knee in front of Santiago with the glow of the Northern Lights illuminating the sky behind them.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025
Sunlight pours through the spa’s floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating neutral tones, palm fronds, and a quartz chandelier.
—Micaela English, Travel + Leisure, 26 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illuminating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illuminating
Adjective
-
History shows that muses are not anomalies, and their stories are instructive for us now.—
Valerie L. Myers,
The Conversation,
8 Jan. 2026
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The series finds an instructive case in one particular pastor, whose trajectory as a neo-Nazi skinhead turned vehement anti-racist makes for a compelling tale.—
Benjamin Cannon,
The Atlantic,
23 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The leader of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), an organization that fights antisemitism, is explaining his group's decision to set up a special project to monitor Zohran Mamdani, the mayor-elect of New York City.—
NPR,
NPR,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Ukraine knows about the value of culture as soft power and spends a lot of money explaining to the world what’s going on in their country.—
Annika Pham,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Wisteria is a light, calming shade of purple that feels fitting for illustrating any garden.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The Jayhawks would go onto win 38-21, with that particular drive illustrating the dominance of Kansas’ ground game Saturday.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
1 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The show debuted on May 9, 2024, and has been praised for its engaging storyline and strong performances, particularly highlighting the dynamics of class and privilege within a prestigious school setting.—
Sophie Hanson,
StyleCaster,
7 Nov. 2025
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The end of year signals holiday cheer, festive feasts and of course, the yearly return of Spotify Wrapped — the streaming platform's annual review highlighting users' listening habits for the year.—
Diana Leyva,
Nashville Tennessean,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Longoria was honored with the Maestro Cares Community Hero Award for educating and empowering Latin women through Eva Longoria Foundation (ELF), and Balvin received the Trailblazer of Cultural Empowerment Award for his commitment to raising awareness about mental health.—
Jessica Roiz,
Billboard,
8 Nov. 2025
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Sheffieldhas said that focusing on educating Detroit’s children, and continuing to improve public safety and life in the neighborhoods will be among her priorities if elected mayor.—
Corey Williams,
Fortune,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
There are still several informative private economic updates that Wall Street can review.—
Fortune,
Fortune,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Full color pages, informative charts and concise articles also set the outlet apart from others.—
Ralphie Aversa,
USA Today,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Thinking globally and acting locally means electing people of vision, not people who couldn't find their way out of a paper bag without a lobbyist lighting their way under the table, or down the wrong path where for-profit companies rule and teachers are scapegoated for society's failures.—
SHELLEY SMITH SPECIAL TO THE DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE,
Arkansas Online,
10 Jan. 2026
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More than just lighting a candle, Fischer says upcoming scent trends are leaning toward personalized scents synced with the time of day, activity, or the area of the home.—
Kristina McGuirk,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In addition to its cover-up capabilities, the formula is enriched with nourishing ingredients such as allantoin, bakuchiol, and niacinamide that actually target dark spots and, with time (and regular wear), can brighten them while clarifying the complexion.—
Jessie Quinn,
StyleCaster,
6 Nov. 2025
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Modern shutdowns date back to 1980, when the attorney general issued legal guidance clarifying that agencies could not spend without congressional approval.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illuminating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illuminating. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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