1
as in to illumine
to supply with light
a floor lamp illuminates a living room rather nicely
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to educate
to provide (someone) with moral or spiritual understanding
how man is illuminated by a higher spirit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of illuminate
The third quarter moon (Aug. 16) The passing of the full moon will see the terminator return to sweep over the eastern limb of the lunar surface until, finally, on Aug. 16, the third quarter moon will rise, with its right half bathed in shadow and its left illuminated by direct sunlight.
—
Anthony Wood, Space.com, 2 Aug. 2025
The full moon in your sign on the 12th should illuminate any relationships that may need to evolve, change, or end in your life.
—Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Aug. 2025
Boggs illuminates the writer’s life through four key formative relationships, intimate or creative: the painter Beauford Delaney, his lover in Paris Lucien Happersberger, the Turkish actor Engin Cezzar, and the French artist Yoran Cazac.
—Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 1 Aug. 2025
Venus enters Cancer on July 30th, illuminating your public image and long-term goals.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 27 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for illuminate
Anthony Wood, Space.com, 2 Aug. 2025
The full moon in your sign on the 12th should illuminate any relationships that may need to evolve, change, or end in your life.
—Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Aug. 2025
Boggs illuminates the writer’s life through four key formative relationships, intimate or creative: the painter Beauford Delaney, his lover in Paris Lucien Happersberger, the Turkish actor Engin Cezzar, and the French artist Yoran Cazac.
—Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 1 Aug. 2025
Venus enters Cancer on July 30th, illuminating your public image and long-term goals.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 27 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for illuminate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illuminate
Verb
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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
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The lighting illumines each river in brilliantly bright backdrop colors.—
Mark Swed,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Acting as a middleman, McNeil explained that the county would offer him a $500 check for the option to buy his land anytime in the next year for $15,000 an acre for a potential industrial development project.—
Sarah Henry,
The Courier-Journal,
18 Aug. 2025
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Treating Tech as a Cost Center A basic disconnect explains this secrecy.—
Kiri Masters,
Forbes.com,
18 Aug. 2025
Verb
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This phase of the series illustrates the intricate psychological tactics used in espionage, where family bonds and loyalty become tools for manipulation and control.—
Isabella Wandermurem,
Time,
13 Aug. 2025
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But the past 11 games have illustrated how the Padres are at their best.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
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As the entertainment industry’s publication of record, Variety seeks to highlight creatives who are making waves across a spectrum of disciplines.—
Variety Staff,
Variety,
12 Aug. 2025
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Topline Elon Musk attacked Apple in a series of posts on X, accusing the iPhone-maker of refusing to highlight his social media platform and AI chatbot Grok on the App Store and boosting his rival and ChatGPT-maker OpenAI’s products instead.—
Siladitya Ray,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Altogether, 467 Wisconsin schools that educate more than 80% of the state's high school juniors are signed up this year.—
Kelly Meyerhofer,
jsonline.com,
6 Aug. 2025
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That her book and advocacy can educate and, over time, effect change.—
Danielle Bacher,
People.com,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
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Board President Sallie Overbey clarified for the board that insurance premiums would also not be affected if the bees are returned to the roof.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Aug. 2025
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Editor’s note, Aug. 16, 2025: This article has been updated to clarify a quote from CEO Keyvan Mohajer, who misspoke earlier. Introducing the 2025 Fortune Global 500, the definitive ranking of the biggest companies in the world.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
16 Aug. 2025
Verb
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In contrast to other, more mainstream Civil Rights organizations, SNCC leaders began to emphasize Black separatism, which alienated white participants.—
Time,
Time,
7 Aug. 2025
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That newest edition of the game emphasizes fun over following the rules to a T, and actual play is a great demonstration of how that looks at a game night, said Justice Arman, managing game designer of Dungeons & Dragons.—
Scott Greenstone,
NPR,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illuminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illuminate. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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