1
as in to illumine
to supply with light
a floor lamp illuminates a living room rather nicely
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to explain
to make plain or understandable
the museum's exhibit on the refraction of light really illuminated the subject for us
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3
as in to illustrate
to supplement with pictorial matter for the purpose of explanation or decoration
no one knows for sure the identity of the artist who illuminated that medieval manuscript so beautifully
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to highlight
to indicate the importance of by centering attention on
the results of the statewide testing illuminated the need to place more focus on instruction in math and science
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to educate
to provide (someone) with moral or spiritual understanding
how man is illuminated by a higher spirit
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of illuminate
It’s performed with the screens illuminating the stage in a vibrant shade of orange — until the closing moments, when mind-melting effects worthy of a Nine Inch Nails show blast at the audience rapid-fire while the dancers freestyle.
—
Jem Aswad, Variety, 1 Oct. 2025
This illuminates your relationships and urges you to reflect on any patterns of being overly independent and stubborn while clinging to your pride.
—Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2025
Limitations of the Study While the results are illuminating, the study has some limitations.
—Alyssa Ages, Outside, 30 Sep. 2025
This long exposure image shows the bustle around Cerro Tololo, as headlights of cars illuminate a winding road across the mountain.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illuminate
Jem Aswad, Variety, 1 Oct. 2025
This illuminates your relationships and urges you to reflect on any patterns of being overly independent and stubborn while clinging to your pride.
—Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2025
Limitations of the Study While the results are illuminating, the study has some limitations.
—Alyssa Ages, Outside, 30 Sep. 2025
This long exposure image shows the bustle around Cerro Tololo, as headlights of cars illuminate a winding road across the mountain.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illuminate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illuminate
Verb
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Rev 21:10), an ark of salvation sailing through the waters of history and a beacon that illumines the dark nights of this world.—
Daniel Burke,
NPR,
9 May 2025
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The lighting illumines each river in brilliantly bright backdrop colors.—
Mark Swed,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Reliever Luke Weaver melted down again, and then seemed lost trying to explain it postgame.—
Brendan Kuty,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
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In the show, Gein strikes Henry with a piece of wood, then drags his body into the woods and stages a brush fire to explain Henry's death.—
JR Radcliffe,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Shot on location surrounded by her horses, the campaign illustrates elevated pieces designed for today’s modern wardrobe, and shows Springsteen in her truest from.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
2 Oct. 2025
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These statistics illustrate the trend of how Americans are starting to delay major milestones like getting married, adopting a pet, buying a house, and having children for a wide variety of reasons, namely owing to inflation and the cost of living.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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For each table, players highlighted in orange are new veteran additions, while players highlighted in green are 2024 first-round picks.—
Law Murray,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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This year's speed festival highlighted some of the best women in automotive racing.—
Keenan Thompson,
Freep.com,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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To carry out her vision, McMahon has brought on at least 20 political appointees from ultraconservative think tanks and advocacy groups eager to de-emphasize public schools, which have educated students for roughly 200 years.—
Megan O’Matz,
ProPublica,
8 Oct. 2025
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For example, the nation’s premiere federal cybersecurity scholarship program to recruit, educate and place future federal cybersecurity workers would be reduced by over 60%.—
Richard Forno,
The Conversation,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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That whole environment re-lit something in me.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
3 Oct. 2025
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The record was created with Shellback and Max Martin in between shows on the career-spanning Eras Tour, which lit a fire in the singer-songwriter that blazes across each of its 12 tracks.—
Rolling Stone,
Rolling Stone,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Officials from Line by Lion Publications also took to Facebook to dispel the rumors and clarify that Gilbert is in good care.—
Lillian Metzmeier,
Louisville Courier Journal,
3 Oct. 2025
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Others echoed similar sentiments, demanding Parker clarify the meaning of her comment and apologize.—
Amanda McCoy,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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When making placements at the Turina James, unlike at the Civic and other CoLEAD shelters, the city is no longer emphasizing Third Avenue clients but instead people from Seattle’s Chinatown-International District.—
Ashley Hiruko,
ProPublica,
6 Oct. 2025
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The event, launched in 1982, celebrates the freedom to read and express ideas and emphasizes the importance of fighting censorship.—
Jennifer Borresen,
USA Today,
5 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illuminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illuminate. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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