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 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 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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Adjacent to this space, the dining room offers sweeping mountain and lake views, while the nearby kitchen is a culinary dream, complete with stainless-steel appliances, practical pullout cabinetry, and a skylight illuminating the central island.—
Demetrius Simms,
Robb Report,
5 Nov. 2025
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On December 1, the tree lighting ceremony at McAdenville Lake features a giant switch to illuminate the main tree, with local schoolchildren competing for the honor of flipping the switch.—
Shameika Rhymes,
USA Today,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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To continue complying with SB 1383, the city must start inspecting what customers are putting in their bins and keep trying to educate those who are making mistakes.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Nov. 2025
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Her work primarily focuses on monitoring the oil and gas industry, assessing its impacts and educating community members about production and regulation.—
Arlyssa D. Becenti,
AZCentral.com,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The room replicating the crash is dimly lit, which Knarr said is because there was no moonlight coming from the sky to illuminate the sea.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Everything is dark around us, but the collision itself is a source of energy and the flash of it lights us up.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Nicole said her costume was actually inspired by a childhood friend, ironically named Taylor.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
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The reality star has been studying through an apprenticeship program in California and was inspired to pursue a career in the legal field, focusing on criminal justice reform.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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During the run of this show, PowPAC will be accepting new, unwrapped toys that will be given to the Toys for Tots program to brighten the holidays for local children.—
Elizabeth Marie Himchak,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Nov. 2025
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There is something undeniably exciting about a brisk breeze and the sensation of leaves crunching under your feet, so embrace the colors of the season with a front door refresh to brighten up your comings and goings (and impress all of your holiday guests come November).—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
11 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illumine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illumine. Accessed 18 Nov. 2025.
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