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
This mix supplies illumination for both tasks and decorative accents.
—
Beth Livesay, AJC.com, 6 Mar. 2026
Each square can be controlled precisely and illumination with up to 3,500 nits.
—Eric Zeman, PC Magazine, 5 Mar. 2026
With this illumination, firefighters can identify entry directions and escape routes in low-visibility environments.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 4 Mar. 2026
Rather than just one floor lamp or pendant, now, designers are pairing many different forms of illumination.
—Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illumination
Beth Livesay, AJC.com, 6 Mar. 2026
Each square can be controlled precisely and illumination with up to 3,500 nits.
—Eric Zeman, PC Magazine, 5 Mar. 2026
With this illumination, firefighters can identify entry directions and escape routes in low-visibility environments.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 4 Mar. 2026
Rather than just one floor lamp or pendant, now, designers are pairing many different forms of illumination.
—Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illumination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illumination
Noun
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Two absurd explanations were offered last week for how Poland surpassed Switzerland to become one of the world’s 20 largest economies just 34 years after the collapse of the Soviet empire.—
Editorial Board,
Washington Post,
22 Mar. 2026
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After his arrest, Manzoor told police about his time spent at the organization but would not provide an explanation for how the funds came to be in his account, the records say.—
Harry Harris,
Mercury News,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Typical brightness reaches 1,800 nits, and peak brightness hits 2,500 nits.—
Eric Zeman,
PC Magazine,
17 Mar. 2026
-
This wine is co-fermented with Cabernet Franc, which adds an extra layer of brightness and earthiness in the mid-palate.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The silky formula layers easily with the rest of your routine and leaves skin with that soft, luminous glass glow K-beauty is famous for.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
21 Mar. 2026
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The soft glow of lanterns against ancient mounds turns a seemingly simple walk into a reflective, cinematic journey through American history.—
Rafael Peña,
Miami Herald,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The process and outcomes are shielded from public view under the department’s interpretation of a court decision.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Mar. 2026
-
If that interpretation holds up, some taxpayers who were charged penalties or interest during that stretch may be able to seek refunds or have those charges removed.—
Dante Motley,
Austin American Statesman,
17 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
-
There is no warp drive, no faster-than-light travel, no planetwide organization united behind the single purpose of exploring the stars.—
Sarah D. Wire,
USA Today,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Nowruz, which marks the start of spring, is an annual triumph of light over darkness — a cultural rather than religious celebration.—
Siham Shamalakh,
Washington Post,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Even this basic illustration shows that human English includes variation in word usage and grammatical structures that breaks up information and conveys personal meaning.—
Laura Aull,
The Conversation,
20 Mar. 2026
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The artist, then a girl, bit down on a slice of her Aunt Nelly’s cake, only to hit an old silver sixpence bearing an illustration of the extinct species.—
Tom Page,
CNN Money,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves directed the show with an eye toward brilliance of color and vigor of movement; Viviana Goodwin and Justin Austin led a spirited cast, with Kedrick Armstrong conducting and Damien Sneed handling the arrangements.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
19 Mar. 2026
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This bright, fresh production, enhanced by projections and masks and dancing and some gloriously uninhibited performances, demonstrates the simple brilliance of Ionesco’s script.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illumination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illumination. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
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