1
as in to illuminate
to supply with light
small table lamps illumine the inn's dining room in a most romantic way
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to educate
to provide (someone) with moral or spiritual understanding
readers of great literature are both entertained and illumined
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of illumine
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
The lighting illumines each river in brilliantly bright backdrop colors.
—Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2025
The lighting illumines each river in brilliantly bright backdrop colors.
—Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2025
The bar was illumined by candles and an uplit line of mostly esoteric liquors along the full-length mirror against the back wall.
—Lauren Groff, The Atlantic, 28 Sep. 2024
In a room illumined by the light of a few candles, a group of women with veils over their faces conducts a séance.
—Rhoda Feng, ARTnews.com, 9 Aug. 2024
First a dazzling light show that illumined the arena in a constellation of purple.
—NBC News, 5 Aug. 2024
Hung’s defense of artistic passion starts with the human touch, then illumines our basic needs and spiritual appetite.
—Armond White, National Review, 9 Feb. 2024
The papaya-pulp glow of sodium lights on a remote station’s platform revealed the denizens of the wayside: disused open-top hoppers, empty coil cars, corroded gondolas, a modest village in the distance illumined by weak-yellow streetlamps.
—Mark Orwoll, Travel + Leisure, 18 July 2023
Daniel Burke, NPR, 9 May 2025
The lighting illumines each river in brilliantly bright backdrop colors.
—Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2025
The lighting illumines each river in brilliantly bright backdrop colors.
—Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2025
The bar was illumined by candles and an uplit line of mostly esoteric liquors along the full-length mirror against the back wall.
—Lauren Groff, The Atlantic, 28 Sep. 2024
In a room illumined by the light of a few candles, a group of women with veils over their faces conducts a séance.
—Rhoda Feng, ARTnews.com, 9 Aug. 2024
First a dazzling light show that illumined the arena in a constellation of purple.
—NBC News, 5 Aug. 2024
Hung’s defense of artistic passion starts with the human touch, then illumines our basic needs and spiritual appetite.
—Armond White, National Review, 9 Feb. 2024
The papaya-pulp glow of sodium lights on a remote station’s platform revealed the denizens of the wayside: disused open-top hoppers, empty coil cars, corroded gondolas, a modest village in the distance illumined by weak-yellow streetlamps.
—Mark Orwoll, Travel + Leisure, 18 July 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illumine
Verb
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Her immense talent will illuminate our film and will bring Nathalie’s vision to life.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
14 May 2025
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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
Verb
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From tackling the country’s vicious dictatorship to honing in on intimate personal narratives while shattering taboos, Chilean documentary filmmakers continue to push boundaries and adapt to the pulse of broader social cues, committing to wide-ranging themes that not only educate, but enthral.—
Holly Jones,
Variety,
17 May 2025
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Ozone Action Days is a public program designed to educate residents of Central Arkansas about harmful ground-level ozone.—
Harley Walls,
Arkansas Online,
16 May 2025
Verb
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During the tricky Death monologues, Urbina subtly shines a spotlight on the actor, while the others, frozen in place, are dimly lit, still able to be seen.—
Michelle F. Solomon,
Miami Herald,
15 May 2025
-
On a gas model, light the burners on one side, leaving the opposite side off.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
15 May 2025
Verb
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The primary bedroom has upholstered moss-green suede walls and, a tribute to Mies van der Rohe, the iconic Chicago architect who inspired the design, a leathered stone accent wall behind the bed.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
15 May 2025
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The ocean-facing 156-seat restaurant, which includes an eight-seat sushi bar and 12-seat pagoda bar, serves signature dishes such as black cod with iso squid pasta and A5 Wagyu steak, as well as locally inspired dishes including lobster truffle tempura and beef kushiyaki skewers.—
Pamela Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 May 2025
Verb
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Choose White Paint White is a go-to when choosing a paint color that reflects light, brightens a space, and makes a room look bigger.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 May 2025
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The service harnesses the prebiotic power of sugar beets; the vegetable contains vitamin C and antioxidants that aid in brightening the skin.—
Tiffany Leigh,
Forbes.com,
6 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illumine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illumine. Accessed 28 May. 2025.
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