1
as in explanation
a statement that makes something clear
the candidate's so-called illuminations of his views on a number of controversial issues left many voters in the dark
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in brightness
the quality or state of having or giving off light
in that clime the illumination of the full moon on a clear night is so bright that you can practically read by it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in glow
the steady giving off of the form of radiation that makes vision possible
a steady illumination from the flashlight was all I had while changing the tire
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of illumination
What time is peak illumination for the full moon in February 2026?
—
John Tufts, IndyStar, 28 Jan. 2026
One of the most magical ways to experience the Eiffel Tower doesn't require a ticket; simply watch the nightly illuminations, when the landmark sparkles for five minutes every hour, on the hour.
—Todd Plummer, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
As that title suggests, the overarching theme is illumination of various sorts, including the natural and the cerebral.
—Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026
Writing, which is a kind of paying attention, can be an act of love, an illumination.
—Literary Hub, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illumination
John Tufts, IndyStar, 28 Jan. 2026
One of the most magical ways to experience the Eiffel Tower doesn't require a ticket; simply watch the nightly illuminations, when the landmark sparkles for five minutes every hour, on the hour.
—Todd Plummer, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
As that title suggests, the overarching theme is illumination of various sorts, including the natural and the cerebral.
—Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026
Writing, which is a kind of paying attention, can be an act of love, an illumination.
—Literary Hub, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illumination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illumination
Noun
-
After being questioned by agents for nearly an hour, he was returned to his residence without any explanation or apology.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Feb. 2026
-
When Slater was ousted last week, the administration sprayed out explanations.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Cardamom brings a cozy warmth, iris and violet add brightness, and sandalwood and cedarwood give it that signature leathery edge.—
Allure,
Allure,
17 Feb. 2026
-
But cinema brings something like brightness and hope.—
Christopher Vourlias,
Variety,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Inside, a long mahogany counter glows beneath warm gold walls, where bartenders move with precision through a selection of classics and inventive cocktails built on bold spirits and house infusions.—
Melinda Sheckells,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Feb. 2026
-
The charm and glow of Buckaroo outweigh the growing pains.—
David Glickman,
Pitchfork,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
My protagonist, Dunya Dawood, is learning to separate the essence of Islam from the patriarchal interpretations that tend to cloud it.—
Hafsa Lodi,
Vogue,
17 Feb. 2026
-
In every sense, Fennel's interpretation is more about realizing the fantasies women project onto the gothic romance than staying faithful to the original novel.—
Madeline Hirsch,
InStyle,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
So, astronomers have come up with a compromise regarding the geometry of the sun's illumination angle on Venus' disk versus its distance from Earth to determine the time of Venus' greatest brilliancy.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
4 Apr. 2025
-
Family circles will have wrapped themselves in the holy pleasures of the great occasion, and everywhere the grand old holiday will have been introduced with all the majesty and brilliancy which clings around the hallowed name of Christmas.—
Michael Barnes,
Austin American-Statesman,
23 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Can flickering lights and sound slow Alzheimer’s?—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Unlike previous approaches to non-line-of-sight (NLOS) perception that rely on visible light, HoloRadar works reliably in darkness and under variable lighting conditions.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Supporting and empowering artists The New York Times featured the dynamic, mesmerizing pop art illustrations on Blind Dates Books at the iconic Strand Bookstore in New York City.—
Jess deCourcy Hinds
February 13,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
-
His own story offers an illustration of this philosophy.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Harvard was almost another planet, one of brilliance, privilege, and financial ease.—
Lloyd Blankfein,
Vanity Fair,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Even his critics were forced to confess as much and admire his brilliance.—
Adam Harris,
The Atlantic,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illumination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illumination. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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