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
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
Each pixel on the display is an LED, which assists in an even spread of illumination for a sharp image.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for illumination
Payal Dhar, Scientific American, 19 Aug. 2025
Each pixel on the display is an LED, which assists in an even spread of illumination for a sharp image.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for illumination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illumination
Noun
-
Study co-author Benjamin Proudfoot, an astronomer at the University of Central Florida, also thinks that a newfound satellite is the most likely explanation.—
Nola Taylor Tillman,
Space.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The materialist, physiological explanation for the phenomenon of panic generates a bright contrast with the philosophical and metaphysical inquiries that have Nicholas, and Clune, in their grip.—
Scott Stossel,
The Atlantic,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The punchy liquid stays put and works nicely as underpaint for a glow beneath base makeup, or for stand-alone brightness in multidimensional shades like Starlite (rose gold with shimmer) and Good Vibes (deep fuchsia with pearlescent particles).—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
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Both of the Pop projectors are rated to deliver 700 lumens of brightness, but the EF62 sports a 4K resolution while the EF61 is full HD.—
John Archer,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Inside Lenox, palm fronds throw shimmering shadows and rattan lampshades cast a lazy glow.—
The Bon Appétit Staff,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The center beam shows color and detail clearly, while the outer glow only catches movement.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Stanford Health Care has launched an AI assistant that helps its physicians draft interpretations of clinical tests and lab results to send to patients.—
Kate Ruder,
NPR,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent encouraging taxpayer friendly interpretation of the tips deduction.—
Peter J Reilly,
Forbes.com,
11 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
-
The body of the foreground object briefly blocks light from the star, as do any rings or satellites.—
Nola Taylor Tillman,
Space.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Lawrence Kenyon, who lives in Thompson's Station, raised several claims, including defamation, invasion of privacy by false light and intentional infliction of emotional distress.—
Evan Mealins,
The Tennessean,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Graphic by Newsweek of a house snapped in two and an umbrella shielding it from a shower of dollar bills, with illustrations of coal and a nuclear power plant.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
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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,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Young has shown true flashes of brilliance.—
Mike Kaye
September 10,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Eternal Aura reflects the brilliance of Black creativity that cannot be dimmed, evolving through every drape, print, and body, a glow that endures across generations.—
Karissa Mitchell,
Essence,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illumination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illumination. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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