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
Brief, startling moments of illumination are everywhere in its stories; so are all kinds of optical illusions and distortions.
—
Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2025
Unlike some products that promise glow-in-the-dark illumination that barely shows, our testers found that the Takeya Actives Kids Water Bottle fully delivered on its promise.
—Chaunie Brusie, Parents, 3 Sep. 2025
Turquoise underwater illumination, my favorite kind of light.
—Anne Carson, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2025
In lab experiments simulating mesospheric air pressure and illumination, the researchers showed that their devices could float passively, without any power source.
—Payal Dhar, Scientific American, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illumination
Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2025
Unlike some products that promise glow-in-the-dark illumination that barely shows, our testers found that the Takeya Actives Kids Water Bottle fully delivered on its promise.
—Chaunie Brusie, Parents, 3 Sep. 2025
Turquoise underwater illumination, my favorite kind of light.
—Anne Carson, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2025
In lab experiments simulating mesospheric air pressure and illumination, the researchers showed that their devices could float passively, without any power source.
—Payal Dhar, Scientific American, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illumination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illumination
Noun
-
Abramov points out that this does not disprove the Mars life explanation, but rather just presents an alternative, albeit much more probable, explanation for the evidence.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
1 Oct. 2025
-
The Taliban has not yet given an explanation for its decision to implement the wider blackout this week.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Golden seared chops pair beautifully with tart red apples and a touch of mustard for brightness.—
Melinda Salchert,
Southern Living,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Factors like light pollution, moon brightness, and geomagnetic activity affect visibility.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
And the eyes of the locals—watery, bloodshot from drink, whites cracked from the steady glow of the TV.—
Zuzana Říhová,
Literary Hub,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Her effortlessly dewy glow is the subject of envy and inspiration for fanart and makeup tutorials.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Scholarly interpretations abound as to what Apepi was trying to achieve.—
Vanessa Taylor,
Big Think,
25 Sep. 2025
-
The artists were challenged to create their own interpretations of time.—
Paige Reddinger,
Robb Report,
25 Sep. 2025
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
-
There's also a front light with an auto-adjusting sensor on board, so the screen should be legible indoors and out.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Blue light targets acne-causing bacteria to help keep breakouts at bay, while red and near-infrared wavelengths penetrate deeper to stimulate collagen, improve circulation, and promote skin repair.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Names have been changed and illustrations are anonymous to ensure their safety.—
Carlotta Dotto,
CNN Money,
29 Sep. 2025
-
The photograph—one of a series of some 52 large and 101 smaller stereo views Gardner made around the fort—appears as a seemingly self-explanatory illustration in books about the Indian Wars.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
With Venus entering your sign on August 25, your magnetism is undeniable, but the Three of Pentacles reminds you that your brilliance shines brighter when it’s shared.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 Oct. 2025
-
It was designed for brilliance.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illumination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illumination. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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