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
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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
Van Gogh’s Starry Nights at NYBG Visitors can also experience the exhibit after dark at Starry Nights, when live music and lights illuminate these inspiring creations.
—
Irene S. Levine, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
For many centuries, historians assumed that in ancient times, the chamber was brightly illuminated by the Grecian sun.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 May 2025
Her immense talent will illuminate our film and will bring Nathalie’s vision to life.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 14 May 2025
Maehara was riding his electric bicycle on Merle Drive in Montebello, not far from his home, around 10 p.m. on April 29 when headlights from a car approaching him from behind illuminated his path.
—Caroline Petrow-Cohen, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for illuminate
Irene S. Levine, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
For many centuries, historians assumed that in ancient times, the chamber was brightly illuminated by the Grecian sun.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 May 2025
Her immense talent will illuminate our film and will bring Nathalie’s vision to life.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 14 May 2025
Maehara was riding his electric bicycle on Merle Drive in Montebello, not far from his home, around 10 p.m. on April 29 when headlights from a car approaching him from behind illuminated his path.
—Caroline Petrow-Cohen, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 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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But in the late 19th century, Finkelstein explained, women who'd worked as nurses during the Civil War, even though not part of the Union or Confederate armies, lobbied for and won the right to be buried at Arlington.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
27 May 2025
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Television ‘The Last of Us’ Season 2: What to know, new characters, episodes explained May 23, 2025 What the hell just happened?—
Glenn Whipp,
Los Angeles Times,
26 May 2025
Verb
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Els took a South African passport from his jacket pocket to illustrate his pride in his country.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
22 May 2025
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As the shot map below illustrates, since the start of the 2022-23 season, a large portion of his goals have been scored from in and around the six-yard box.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
21 May 2025
Verb
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Seven years later, Meghan marked her seventh anniversary with Harry by sharing a collage of previously unseen personal photos highlighting milestones throughout their relationship, including a wedding portrait by Lubomirski.—
Janine Henni,
People.com,
20 May 2025
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The Cubs swept the Philadelphia Phillies, 6-4 and 11-2. 1978 — Willie Stargell hit a 535-foot homer off Montreal’s Wayne Twitchell — the longest home run in Montreal’s Olympic Stadium — to highlight the Pirates’ 6-0 victory.—
Houston Mitchell,
Los Angeles Times,
20 May 2025
Verb
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Many school districts pay private providers to educate students with special needs.—
Emilia Otte,
Hartford Courant,
30 May 2025
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The hands-on displays are designed to educate about teamwork, deduction, health care, coordination, agility and cognitive thinking, among others.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 May 2025
Verb
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The team tailors lighting and imaging techniques to each piece, ensuring the best possible results without compromising the object’s integrity.—
Courtney Lane,
Kansas City Star,
27 May 2025
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The Democrats are getting ready to light $20 million on fire to study their unpopularity!—
Naomi Lim,
The Washington Examiner,
27 May 2025
Verb
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But there’s a difference between using AI to clarify your message and asking it to invent your story.—
Dr. Aviva Legatt,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2025
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Lawmakers in both chambers are advancing bills such as the GENIUS Act and the STABLE Act, aimed at defining stablecoins and clarifying disclosure rules.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
24 May 2025
Verb
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President Obama emphasized battery-electric vehicles and solar, while President Trump focused on fossil fuels.—
Robert Rapier,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
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Beach emphasizes that sales solve everything, advising entrepreneurs to focus relentlessly on revenue generation before perfecting other aspects.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
28 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illuminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illuminate. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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