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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of illuminate
Amid the chronological retelling of anecdotes and landmark events in Valdez’s storied career, Alvarado also illuminates the elderly master’s personal wounds.
—
Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 23 Jan. 2026
If the light does not illuminate, then the issue could be a wiring issue, module or a sensor nearing the end of its useful life.
—John Paul, The Providence Journal, 23 Jan. 2026
With its petite size, the light can fill up empty nooks and crannies while perfectly illuminating them.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 23 Jan. 2026
Without Emery, Villa’s deficiencies, such as their lack of revenue in comparison to the ‘Big Six’, would be illuminated.
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illuminate
Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 23 Jan. 2026
If the light does not illuminate, then the issue could be a wiring issue, module or a sensor nearing the end of its useful life.
—John Paul, The Providence Journal, 23 Jan. 2026
With its petite size, the light can fill up empty nooks and crannies while perfectly illuminating them.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 23 Jan. 2026
Without Emery, Villa’s deficiencies, such as their lack of revenue in comparison to the ‘Big Six’, would be illuminated.
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illuminate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illuminate
Verb
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These fruits are tiny stars, planets in arm’s reach, little moons reddened by desire and cunning, the sun, at each step, illumines the petals of the dogwood flowers, their bright yellow is dimmed by no leaf, on their still-bare branches the first fissure in winter opens up by magic.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 May 2025
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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
Verb
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Gabbard has not explained her involvement in the case herself.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
30 Jan. 2026
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On Rough and Rowdy Ways, Dylan also reemerges as a restless, sometimes cordial, often corrosive analyst, agreeing at last to engage—if not fully to explain—the whats, hows, and, possibly whys of his creative life.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Advocates said that finding illustrates the severe lack of housing capacity in Orange County.—
Claire Wang,
Oc Register,
27 Jan. 2026
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Moore’s Law illustrates the exponential growth of computing power over decades—a compounding curve that explains why so many breakthroughs are converging at once.—
Phil Kafarakis,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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This week's quiz highlights tourist tradeoffs, political personalities — and a whole lot more.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
1 Feb. 2026
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The episode highlighted its captain, Gus Sanfilippo, who is a fifth-generation commercial fisherman.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
27 Jan. 2026
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The talking heads educated the viewers about the basics of climbing, all while host Elle Duncan repeatedly reminded us that Honnold could die at any moment.—
Frederick Dreier,
Outside,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The streets are begrimed by factory smoke, fecund with horse dung and lit by lanterns.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
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No one even lives here, said Chuky, trying to light a cigarette but foiled by a laugh.—
Jonathan Miles,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Within days of the executive order, OPM issued formal government-wide implementation guidance clarifying how agencies should identify and reclassify covered positions.—
James Broughel,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
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Speaking to reporters after the debate, Stratton sought to clarify her earlier comment suggesting Border Patrol would remain in place if ICE were abolished.—
Rick Pearson,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Local wedding planning associations in the Midwest emphasize transparent vendor conversations early on.—
K.H. Koehler,
jsonline.com,
1 Feb. 2026
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What's more, she's now embedded in a family of vampires who keep emphasizing how good her blood smells.—
Lincee Ray,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illuminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illuminate. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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