1
as in to illumine
to supply with light
a floor lamp illuminates a living room rather nicely
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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
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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
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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
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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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of illuminate
Shot by astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS), this view of noctilucent clouds is illuminated through Earth's upper atmosphere by the setting sun, already tucked behind the dark horizon.
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Space.com Staff, Space.com, 1 Jan. 2025
When blended with a brush, sponge, or fingers, each of its 16 shades instantly illuminates your complexion and veils dark spots and blotchiness.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 31 Dec. 2024
While the auction house came out clean in its legal battle with Russian oligarch Dmitry Rybolovlev in February, the proceeding illuminated much of its shadowy private sales process.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 31 Dec. 2024
The setting sun illuminates the palms, the pomegranate and fig trees, and the glowing scarlet bottlebrush flowers of a Melaleuca viminalis tree.
—Clare Coulson, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for illuminate 
Space.com Staff, Space.com, 1 Jan. 2025
When blended with a brush, sponge, or fingers, each of its 16 shades instantly illuminates your complexion and veils dark spots and blotchiness.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 31 Dec. 2024
While the auction house came out clean in its legal battle with Russian oligarch Dmitry Rybolovlev in February, the proceeding illuminated much of its shadowy private sales process.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 31 Dec. 2024
The setting sun illuminates the palms, the pomegranate and fig trees, and the glowing scarlet bottlebrush flowers of a Melaleuca viminalis tree.
—Clare Coulson, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for illuminate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illuminate
Verb
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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
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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
Verb
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This was a copy of Mikhail’s unpublished autobiography, Leila explained, the substratum to his monumental Histoire de Baalbek’s six editions.Youmna Melhem Chamieh, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
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This analysis of an innovative AI breakthrough is part of my ongoing Forbes column coverage on the latest in AI including identifying and explaining various impactful AI complexities (see the link here).Lance Eliot, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The potential financial losses revealed in this lawsuit are substantial, illustrated by the tenuous position of key players like Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick, along with the sponsorship of Monster Energy.Gord Magill, Newsweek, 21 Dec. 2024
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The timing and rapid pace of these announcements—particularly in light of Google's competing releases—illustrates the intensifying competition in AI development.Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 20 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The true freshman also threw two first-half interceptions to cost Florida points and highlight his struggles against zone coverage.Edgar Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 21 Dec. 2024
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From career milestones to new music releases to major announcements and those little important moments, Billboard editors highlight uplifting moments in Latin music.Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 21 Dec. 2024
Verb
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With the growth of phishing, educating employees on suspicious links and being mindful of grammar and formatting errors is important.Mike Wilson, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
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The idea of Ariana Grande being enough of an expert on gay slang to educate Yeoh is patently hilarious, but not in the way that the Golden Globes writers likely intended.James Factora, Them, 6 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The little, low room was dimly lighted with oil-lamps, and the boys clumped about the stoves in their cowhide boots, and laughed and buzzed and ate apples and peanuts and giggled, and grew suddenly solemn when the grave men and women looked at them.Christopher Carroll, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
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The motley crew celebrates the arrival of 1971 toward the end of the film, lighting an M-80 firecracker in the kitchen.Kate Stroup, EW.com, 31 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Eventually, a teamsheet was confirmed and Ten Hag clarified that Mazraoui was going to play as the No 10.Carl Anka, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024
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And to clarify, internet games are online platforms or apps that allow people to wager money.Tax Notes Staff, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
Verb
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In his press conference after the meeting, Fed chairman Jay Powell emphasized that since September, data on both inflation and the growth of the economy have come in somewhat stronger than expected, indicating that less monetary ...Steven B. Kamin, National Review, 2 Jan. 2025
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In later years, Buzzati tended to emphasize the novel’s origins in his boring job on the night desk.Christopher Tayler, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Illuminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illuminate. Accessed 11 Jan. 2025.
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