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
Head to Museum Hill to visit the Museum of International Folk Art, the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian, and the Santa Fe Botanical Garden, which hosts its own seasonal illuminations for La Luz de Las Noches.
—
Zoe Baillargeon, Travel + Leisure, 20 Dec. 2025
From more niche marketplaces like Ferm Living and Svenskt Tenn all the way to Pottery Barn and GreenRow, the new-old illumination tactic was returning.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 17 Dec. 2025
Not because anyone needs that much illumination, but because the flicker softens the room, the people, and the opinions that inevitably arrive before the appetizers.
—Jennifer Noyes, Air Mail, 13 Dec. 2025
These times mark the exact instant of full illumination.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 9 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illumination
Zoe Baillargeon, Travel + Leisure, 20 Dec. 2025
From more niche marketplaces like Ferm Living and Svenskt Tenn all the way to Pottery Barn and GreenRow, the new-old illumination tactic was returning.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 17 Dec. 2025
Not because anyone needs that much illumination, but because the flicker softens the room, the people, and the opinions that inevitably arrive before the appetizers.
—Jennifer Noyes, Air Mail, 13 Dec. 2025
These times mark the exact instant of full illumination.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 9 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illumination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illumination
Noun
-
Certainly not satisfied with official explanations of how this came to pass.—
Dana Goodyear,
New Yorker,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Tyler went on in her response to provide explanations for each of the violations OCPF auditors noted in the disposition.—
Tim Dunn,
Boston Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Motorola built the camera system around Sony’s LYTIA sensor to improve brightness and color accuracy.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Those on a budget can find simple lanterns with multiple brightness levels at low price points.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The sneakers come in 21 colors — but users can score them for 20 percent off in specific shades, including white and cielo blue, carnation and starlight glow, and droplet and druzy.—
Averi Baudler,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Clean fireplace glass regularly to maintain its glow and prevent soot or haze from hardening over time.—
Katie Cloyd,
Martha Stewart,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Today, however, the focus is on a broader interpretation of the spaces around these points.—
Kristina McGuirk,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Watershed Spa Minneapolis Watershed is a modern interpretation of an ancient communal bathhouse.—
Julia Sayers Gokhale,
Midwest Living,
9 Jan. 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
-
Witnesses report that other vehicles besides Good's were blockading unmarked immigration agent vehicles with their emergency LED lights activated.—
Dana Kelley,
Arkansas Online,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Choose from four neutral colors—classic black, chocolate brown, light pink, or a creamy white—to add to your wardrobe rotation.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
This was a darker point in Bowie's career, expressed by Cordell through the use of grey, black and red in his illustrations.—
Katie Hill,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
-
This material is for illustration and discussion purposes and not intended to be, nor construed as, financial, legal, tax or investment advice.—
Katie Stockton,
CNBC,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
His was an innings of belligerent brilliance.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Of course, the Longhorns derived some of their success from Manning’s individual brilliance.—
David Eckert,
Austin American Statesman,
2 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illumination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illumination. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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