1
as in to illumine
to supply with light
a floor lamp illuminates a living room rather nicely
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to explain
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 to illustrate
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 to highlight
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 to educate
to provide (someone) with moral or spiritual understanding
how man is illuminated by a higher spirit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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 illuminate
Nicole Young, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
The crumbling industrial scenery by Riccardo Hernández is visually stunning and versatile, and it’s gorgeously illuminated by lighting designer Robert Wierzel.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2026
Rogé Karma, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2026
Talankin, under the guise of his job, took hours upon hours of footage documenting this indoctrination, which the film presents as both illuminating and soul-crushing.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 10 Mar. 2026
Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
It's also equipped with a self-illuminating hose reel that can provide a light source in dark conditions and also help guide firefighters to safety or to an injured person.
—New Atlas, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illuminate
Verb
Unimaginable — time — measured by a pendulum of light, illuminating the splendor of one of the greatest marvels on, or under, the Earth.
—Nicole Young, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
The crumbling industrial scenery by Riccardo Hernández is visually stunning and versatile, and it’s gorgeously illuminated by lighting designer Robert Wierzel.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Perhaps the most illuminating example of how not to be California comes, naturally enough, from Florida.
—Rogé Karma, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2026
Talankin, under the guise of his job, took hours upon hours of footage documenting this indoctrination, which the film presents as both illuminating and soul-crushing.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
This cute ceramic tree with a bunny on top and LED lights is a nice choice for illuminating your home as Easter Sunday draws to a close.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
It's also equipped with a self-illuminating hose reel that can provide a light source in dark conditions and also help guide firefighters to safety or to an injured person.
—New Atlas, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illuminate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illuminate
Adjective
-
That silence was also instructive, some prominent American Jews said.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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What Lamont does not do is equally instructive.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Hartford Courant,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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There are also deleted scenes and a trailer, and an accompanying booklet is stuffed with informative essays and interviews (including an analysis by the always astute film noir expert Travis Woods).—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
1 Apr. 2026
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People who find that buzzword-heavy corporate-speak profound and informative perform worse on measures of workplace leadership and decision-making.—
Jacqueline Munis,
Fortune,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Founded by marine life artist Wyland, the foundation empowers people of all ages to become stewards of our planet through hands-on educational programs, public art, and national initiatives like the Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation.—
CBS LA Staff,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
These reviews explored links between early birth or low birth weight and outcomes such as intelligence scores, school performance, and the need for additional educational support.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Perhaps most consequential in this move will be the expansion of the states’ authority and responsibility for educative quality within their jurisdictions.—
Blake D. Morant,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
-
While apples-to-apples comparisons aren’t possible, a look at the streaming businesses is educative for identifying longer-term trends.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Beyond the main performance stages, the center’s instructional spaces are tailored for drama studies as well as choral, band and orchestra programs, with soundproof practice rooms and breakout rooms featuring acoustic paneling, as well as instrument lockers.—
Anne Gelhaus,
Mercury News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Sephardic populations once regularly spoke Judeo-Spanish as an everyday language, reserving the calque variety for religious or instructional contexts.—
Bryan Kirschen,
The Conversation,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
This article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Early notices are informational, but later ones may warn of potential enforcement actions, such as liens or levies.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illuminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illuminate. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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