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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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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
-
In certain markets, including the U.S., the Mercedes-Benz three-point star logo at the center of the grille will also illuminate.—
Eileen Falkenberg-Hull,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Aug. 2025
-
Friday’s practice was particularly illuminating, as Incoom upended a run play and produced two would-be sacks in team drills.—
Mike Kaye
August 4,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Born in 1972 in Agrigento in Sicily, Barba was educated at the Kunsthochschule für Medien Köln.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
6 Aug. 2025
-
That her book and advocacy can educate and, over time, effect change.—
Danielle Bacher,
People.com,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
While there are a few common threads among all the Shabbat clubs in this story, like lighting candles and eating meals together, there are other elements that set each group apart.—
Sophie Liza Cannon,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
-
There was a fire lit in the nursery, and the table was laid with three choices of cake.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Ray Wylie Hubbard, who inspired the song, adds his voice to a verse.—
Josh Crutchmer,
Rolling Stone,
7 Aug. 2025
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The venue will offer live music, a used vinyl boutique, and a menu inspired by the neighborhood's Polish and Italian heritage.—
Sofia Joseph,
jsonline.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
After predictably dimming for multiple months, the stellar explosion inexplicably began brightening again.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
14 Aug. 2025
-
Only the edges of the sand dunes, and the sky just above them, were beginning to brighten.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illumine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illumine. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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