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
Think of empty office buildings where lights burn around the clock, or street lights that shine upward instead of down on streets and sidewalks where illumination is needed.
—
Harold Wallace, Space.com, 16 Aug. 2025
The moon will be in a waning gibbous phase and at around 85% illumination, which means the light from the moon will make meteor-spotting more difficult.
—Gina Park, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2025
The Sturgeon Moon will reach peak illumination on Aug. 9 at 3:55 a.m. EST, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac.
—Cailey Gleeson, jsonline.com, 8 Aug. 2025
When evening arrives, as fire pits are lit up beneath starry skies, guests meet nowadays unhindered by city illumination.
—Shelby Knick, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illumination
Harold Wallace, Space.com, 16 Aug. 2025
The moon will be in a waning gibbous phase and at around 85% illumination, which means the light from the moon will make meteor-spotting more difficult.
—Gina Park, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2025
The Sturgeon Moon will reach peak illumination on Aug. 9 at 3:55 a.m. EST, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac.
—Cailey Gleeson, jsonline.com, 8 Aug. 2025
When evening arrives, as fire pits are lit up beneath starry skies, guests meet nowadays unhindered by city illumination.
—Shelby Knick, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illumination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illumination
Noun
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One possible explanation involves the body’s circadian rhythm (or 24-hour clock), which plays a role in bone health, Lane said.—
Simon Spichak,
Health,
3 Sep. 2025
-
The anger evokes town hall meetings, school board meetings, library meetings, any gathering where people are trying to figure out what is going on in the world right now, without any sufficient explanation.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Users can choose between two different brightness levels and adjust the angle of the light and the solar panel for customized preferences.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Govee has refined the software from previous models to improve the brightness and color accuracy, and the lights are more durable now.—
Andrew Gebhart,
PC Magazine,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Lit Ghost Cloche Add a small but impactful touch of Halloween with these little ghost cloches that add an eerie glow to coffee tables, shelves, and countertops.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Sep. 2025
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For the Grad School Queens and Teachers Whether she’s headed back to school for her master’s or ruling the classroom, the women returning to academia deserve a beauty routine that supports her grind without sacrificing her glow.—
Larry Stansbury,
Essence,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
How much of this summer’s leap is down to the rules and how much is just the natural order of football is open to interpretation.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
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Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani offered a different interpretation of the ongoing dilemma, saying that jury nullification is a real possibility, especially when politics is involved.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
4 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
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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
-
At the end of the historic galleries, where light begins pouring into the building, visitors move above ground and pass by a quote from poet and Civil Rights activist Langston Hughes.—
BrieAnna J. Frank,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
-
If caught in one, pull off the road, turn off your lights and keep your foot off the brake.—
Arizona Republic,
AZCentral.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Concerns included graphic illustrations, discussion of drug or alcohol use and transgender acceptance.—
Taylor Seely,
AZCentral.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The store supplied her with bondage pants, kilts, and T-shirts printed with obscene illustrations.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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That is more relevant to his departure than those initial flashes of brilliance.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
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Success is the result of serial effort, not one-time brilliance.—
Rolling Stone Culture Council,
Rolling Stone,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illumination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illumination. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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