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
The sun fusing with the North Node can offer illumination regarding life direction.
—
Usa Today, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
When is peak illumination for Louisville?
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 25 Feb. 2026
In 1995, Taschen published his first book, which made a stir with portraits of soft, indirect illumination, emphasizing naturalness.
—Steve Appleford, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
Too bad Illinoisans will not join in the illuminations at home for our nation’s semiquincentennial — at least not legally.
—Brad Weisenstein, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illumination
Usa Today, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
When is peak illumination for Louisville?
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 25 Feb. 2026
In 1995, Taschen published his first book, which made a stir with portraits of soft, indirect illumination, emphasizing naturalness.
—Steve Appleford, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
Too bad Illinoisans will not join in the illuminations at home for our nation’s semiquincentennial — at least not legally.
—Brad Weisenstein, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illumination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illumination
Noun
-
Eric Musselman sat behind a microphone at the bitter end of a bitter regular season for USC, armed only with the same explanations for how a once-hopeful season could come so undone.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Some of the specific explanations the CIA had used were just crazy.—
Scott Pelley,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
This architecture preserves brightness while simplifying alignment requirements.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Finally, Parmesan and thyme add brightness and warmth.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The decorative candle lanterns are perfect for patios, balconies, gardens, and stairways, adding a warm glow wherever they’re placed.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Rich-girl flip-flops Flip-flops underwent a huge glow-up last summer, graduating from a beachside afterthought to a genuine fashion statement.—
Jake Henry Smith,
Glamour,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Modern Deco interpretations can lean a bit more minimalist, but often still include bold colors.—
Katherine McLaughlin,
Architectural Digest,
10 Mar. 2026
-
For more than a century, that interpretation shaped both textbook and casual medical wisdom.—
Lilia Goncharova,
The Conversation,
9 Mar. 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
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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
-
Once stationary, deactivate all lights except the hazard flashers, engage the emergency brake, and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights remain unlit, minimizing the chance of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Mar. 2026
-
These include dimming the lights and minimizing the use of electronics before bed, keeping a consistent sleep schedule, maintaining a sleeping environment that's cool, dark, and quiet.—
Ari Daniel,
NPR,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Shopping market editor Kate McGregor is a sucker for Liz Rowland’s quirky illustrations.—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Effler is best known for creating the annual Bockfest posters and illustrations.—
Kaycee Sloan,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The part that celebrates their humanity, their brilliance, and their potential—all bound up together in ours.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Kimi Antonelli, who debuted with Mercedes last year at age 18, showed flashes of brilliance — and inconsistency — last season.—
Sahil Kapur,
NBC news,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illumination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illumination. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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