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
Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 17 Mar. 2026
Instead, Correa recommended adding concealer, such as YSL's Touche Éclat, which has an illuminating effect, to the upper and inner corners of the eye and the upper sides of the nose, then gently tapping the product into the skin with either your clean fingertips or a small makeup brush.
—Caroline Shannon Karasik, InStyle, 15 Mar. 2026
Reed Jackson, SPIN, 6 Apr. 2026
Tensions begin to rise early in the month with the full moon in Libra on April 1, illuminating the imbalances in our relationships and commitments while urging us to acknowledge where our ability to compromise has turned into resentment.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illuminating
Adjective
Even as the industry leans into horror at the box office and in the press, its upper echelon shows an equally strong urge to use the genre’s intensity as an excuse to look away from the nightmares that most need illuminating.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 17 Mar. 2026
Instead, Correa recommended adding concealer, such as YSL's Touche Éclat, which has an illuminating effect, to the upper and inner corners of the eye and the upper sides of the nose, then gently tapping the product into the skin with either your clean fingertips or a small makeup brush.
—Caroline Shannon Karasik, InStyle, 15 Mar. 2026
Verb
Strings on folk or rock albums often exist to bolster melodies or add some easy drama; Eisenberg uses them as bursts of color, miniature sunsets briefly illuminating their melodies before sinking below the horizon.
—Reed Jackson, SPIN, 6 Apr. 2026
Tensions begin to rise early in the month with the full moon in Libra on April 1, illuminating the imbalances in our relationships and commitments while urging us to acknowledge where our ability to compromise has turned into resentment.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illuminating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illuminating
Adjective
-
The Homestead Act is instructive here.—
Antony Davies,
Boston Herald,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Of those, the late, legendary Kodak photographer Neil Montanus was responsible for more than 50, which frequently were instructive, his photographer son Jim Montanus said.—
Marcia Greenwood,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
And two people explaining why a movie going straight to streaming is actually a good thing.—
Mike Ryan,
IndieWire,
22 Apr. 2026
-
That’s why the timeout confusion, while worth explaining, shouldn’t become the main takeaway.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Research highlights that each additional year of schooling increases an individual’s earnings by roughly 10% annually, illustrating how education compounds economic opportunity over time rather than delivering a one-time benefit.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2026
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Adapted from Antonio Scurati’s novel, the series delves into the darker aspects of Mussolini’s character, illustrating how his toxic masculinity and exploitation of fear led to his ascent, while inviting viewers to reflect on the broader implications of his story in today’s political landscape.—
Hilary Lewis,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Pokémon cards, highlighting what appears to be an ever-growing demand for merchandise from the popular childhood card game.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Welcome to the Tuesday, April 21, 2026, private school baseball and softball edition of the Fastball, a Star-Telegram series highlighting Fort Worth-area teams.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Not a new one every year, but a coherent, sustained commitment to supporting and educating student in every zip code.—
Opinion Staff,
Oc Register,
8 Apr. 2026
-
And the implication of cost disease is that the only way the cost of raising and educating children will stop going up is if the economy crashes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The colors are informative of their composition.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
22 Apr. 2026
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Joking aside, the importance of remaining calm, collected and informative — as hard as that can be — is key when describing a situation to 911 dispatchers.—
Doug Turnbull,
AJC.com,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Create the perfect mood lighting for your backyard living room with these hanging fairy lights.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Delisle pleaded guilty to stabbing his father in April 2025 and lighting the family’s mobile home on fire in the 1000 block of 3rd Street North, according to a judgment of conviction.—
Sally Krutzig,
Idaho Statesman,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Through her precise storytelling, Hao offers a clarifying perspective amid the AI mania and lays bare the ravenous, profit-seeking egos driving it.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Apr. 2026
-
There are bills for that, the Count Every Vote Act (CEVA), A4307 and S417, clarifying the definition of a margin of victory required for a recount.—
Phyllis Tashlik,
New York Daily News,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illuminating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illuminating. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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