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illuminative

adjective

i-ˈlü-mə-ˌnā-tiv How to pronounce illuminative (audio)
Definition of illuminativenext
as in interpretive
serving to explain illuminative descriptions of the sights to be seen from the observatory gave us a much better idea of what we were looking at

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of illuminative Along the way, Robbins spices his story through illuminative moments and mini-biographies. — OregonLive.com, 14 Oct. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illuminative
  1. interpretive
  2. interpretative
  3. illustrative
Adjective
  • Leary’s language of healthier swaps for happy hour is the interpretive frame worth watching.
    — Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2026
  • The order set in motion efforts to revise or remove interpretive signs and other materials across national parks and federal sites, touching on subjects ranging from slavery and Indigenous history to climate change.
    — Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of interpretive
Adjective
  • Another way this plays out in the book is in my analysis of how re-translators often echo or follow one another, rather than looking afresh at the interpretative possibilities of the originals.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The effects of such abstemiousness are less clear, though a pair of new movies point in two very different interpretative directions.
    — Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of interpretative
Adjective
  • The relationship between the two is certainly not illustrative.
    — Cressida Leyshon, New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The ongoing debate about whether the measure would include data centers, Owen said, is illustrative of a broader issue with its language.
    — Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of illustrative

Browse Nearby Words

illuminations
illuminative
illumine
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Cite this Entry

“Illuminative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illuminative. Accessed 24 Sep. 2026.

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