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
One illuminating moment takes place at the first reunion show in Cardiff. — Nate Jones, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026 Dry skin types, on the other hand, tend to achieve better results with illuminating formulas that contain hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and squalane. — Jenny Berg, InStyle, 19 Aug. 2026
Verb
These fascinating, illuminating episodes raise the question of whether great fiction requires the kind of single-mindedness and even arrogance that McCarthy cultivated. — New York Times, 8 Oct. 2026 The answers that follow are illuminating into what art inspires today’s most active collectors. — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 6 Oct. 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
  • Coleman found instructive a 1938 ruling in favor of the Pittsburgh Pirates, who challenged a radio station that placed observers on a rooftop next to Forbes Field and paid them to provide play-by-play for an unauthorized radio broadcast.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 15 Oct. 2026
  • An instructive discussion about how these evolving markets are approached by one of the sharpest trading firms in the financial industry.
    — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of instructive
Verb
  • Swap the throw pillows, drape a blanket over worn spots, add a slipcover or washable topper and change out the rug, curtains or lighting around it.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 23 Oct. 2026
  • In practice, hygge can mean curling up with a book and a hot drink, lighting candles for a quiet dinner, gathering friends for a fireside chat without screens or bundling up for a walk in the snow.
    — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of lighting
Verb
  • The old boy was perfectly reasonable, explaining the difference between federal reimbursement and state reimbursement, and the speed that agencies move on the different levels.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
  • As this is a Lynch film, explaining the rest of the plot would be a pointless exercise, but expect plentiful violence, stylish surrealism, and a road movie that’ll shock and delight in equal measure.
    — Daisy Jones, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of explaining
Verb
  • Over time, the company has aggregated a combination of destinations, tournaments, leagues and camps, illustrating how physical facilities can anchor a broader participation business rather than function simply as real-estate assets.
    — Chris Russo, Sportico.com, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Its report points to independent software maintenance as a way for IT leaders to regain control over software budgets, illustrating its potential bias.
    — Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of illustrating
Verb
  • Condé Nast Traveler readers recently picked the top 10 best large cities in the United States in 2026, highlighting destinations with top-notch restaurant, bar and hotel scenes.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Meanwhile, Kobach has been highlighting his work on digital child safety, including consumer protection lawsuits against major social media platforms.
    — Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of highlighting
Verb
  • Public schools, meanwhile, must continue educating eligible children in their districts, regardless of how expensive their needs may be.
    — Bilin Lin, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
  • This includes educating and training thousands of engineers, maritime specialists, nuclear tradespeople and other professionals to support the enterprise across its full lifecycle, as per the release.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of educating
Adjective
  • But their subjective descriptions were a little more informative.
    — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 20 Oct. 2026
  • These informative passages function similarly to footnotes, but without the disruption of having to read minuscule print at the bottom of the page.
    — Heller McAlpin, Christian Science Monitor, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of informative
Verb
  • Before meeting with a patient advocate, identify your main objectives – for example, preparing for a transition home, clarifying a treatment plan or understanding medication changes.
    — Jennifer Schlinger, The Conversation, 6 Oct. 2026
  • In November 2025, South Korea proposed talks on clarifying the borderline, but North Korea didn’t respond.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 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 26 Oct. 2026.

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