illuminating
adjective
il·lu·mi·nat·ing
i-ˈlü-mə-ˌnā-tiŋ 
: providing insight, clarity, or understanding : highly informative
an illuminating remark/discussion
… much of the information is quite illuminating …—
Glenn Kenny
Glenn Kenny
illuminatingly
adverb
Examples of illuminating in a Sentence
the show is an illuminating tutorial on ways to prepare popular dishes using wholesome ingredients
Recent Examples on the Web
In one of the novel’s most illuminating scenes, Emily explains her novel to her sisters, reaching for their worn copy of Paradise Lost to make her point.
—Literary Hub, 20 Mar. 2026
The gals’ night together becomes an illuminating, madcap journey, transforming their feud into friendship.
—Courtney Howard, Variety, 17 Mar. 2026
Even as the industry leans into horror at the box office and in the press, its upper echelon shows an equally strong urge to use the genre’s intensity as an excuse to look away from the nightmares that most need illuminating.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 17 Mar. 2026
Instead, Correa recommended adding concealer, such as YSL's Touche Éclat, which has an illuminating effect, to the upper and inner corners of the eye and the upper sides of the nose, then gently tapping the product into the skin with either your clean fingertips or a small makeup brush.
—Caroline Shannon Karasik, InStyle, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illuminating
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Literary Hub, 20 Mar. 2026
The gals’ night together becomes an illuminating, madcap journey, transforming their feud into friendship.
—Courtney Howard, Variety, 17 Mar. 2026
Even as the industry leans into horror at the box office and in the press, its upper echelon shows an equally strong urge to use the genre’s intensity as an excuse to look away from the nightmares that most need illuminating.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 17 Mar. 2026
Instead, Correa recommended adding concealer, such as YSL's Touche Éclat, which has an illuminating effect, to the upper and inner corners of the eye and the upper sides of the nose, then gently tapping the product into the skin with either your clean fingertips or a small makeup brush.
—Caroline Shannon Karasik, InStyle, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illuminating
Cite this Entry
“Illuminating.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/illuminating. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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