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
Keith Cooper, Space.com, 5 Apr. 2026
General Daily Insight for April 04, 2026 Cosmic light can illuminate the darkest corners today.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 4 Apr. 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
Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 14 Mar. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for illuminate
Verb
Another key variable is how the surface of the moon will be illuminated at the time, which depends on exactly when Artemis 2 arrives at the moon.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 5 Apr. 2026
General Daily Insight for April 04, 2026 Cosmic light can illuminate the darkest corners today.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 4 Apr. 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
Researchers have discovered an extraordinary underwater cache of shipwrecks across 328 feet of seafloor in northeastern Libya, illuminating a once-thriving ancient port.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 14 Mar. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for illuminate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illuminate
Adjective
-
The radiologist’s case is the most instructive example on offer.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
7 Apr. 2026
-
However much the young Hatmaker had in common with Waters, though, their lives seem likely to trace two very different arcs—ones instructive about both American Christianity and the wider debate over what a good life looks like for women.—
Emma Green,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
Clubs will be able to draw training and support from White Ribbon, while the UK government will collaborate with the league and its foundation on educational resources.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The information provided is for educational purposes and should not be construed as financial, investment or trading advice.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
6 Apr. 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
-
The district spokesperson said Friday that as part of its contingency planning, LAUSD is preparing to provide take-home instructional materials and access to online learning, along with devices and internet connectivity where needed.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Fee increases were approved by the board Thursday for instructional materials, which fund textbooks and workbooks; peer program fees in early childhood education, which fund SPED instructors for students; transportation service fees; and meal prices.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only.—
William Jones,
Miami Herald,
7 Apr. 2026
-
The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illuminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illuminate. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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