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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of illuminate
The rare blue moon illuminated the night sky in May, but when will the next full moon be?
—
Julia Gomez, USA Today, 1 June 2026
No wonder most of America’s 250 automakers wanted nothing to do with the race, which was bankrolled by a playboy heir to the Guggenheim fortune and intended to boost the World’s Fair, promote the automobile, and illuminate the need for better roads.
—Eric Moskowitz, The Atlantic, 31 May 2026
The main floor includes a stately foyer, grand living room and a spacious formal dining room illuminated by two chandeliers, ideal for holidays and large gatherings.
—David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 30 May 2026
Treble synths twinkle above bass tones, illuminating their gentle currents.
—Raphael Helfand, Pitchfork, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for illuminate
Julia Gomez, USA Today, 1 June 2026
No wonder most of America’s 250 automakers wanted nothing to do with the race, which was bankrolled by a playboy heir to the Guggenheim fortune and intended to boost the World’s Fair, promote the automobile, and illuminate the need for better roads.
—Eric Moskowitz, The Atlantic, 31 May 2026
The main floor includes a stately foyer, grand living room and a spacious formal dining room illuminated by two chandeliers, ideal for holidays and large gatherings.
—David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 30 May 2026
Treble synths twinkle above bass tones, illuminating their gentle currents.
—Raphael Helfand, Pitchfork, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for illuminate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illuminate
Verb
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Fantastic, illumined by periodic excursions into surrealism, as when the crew of a mysterious UFO boards a transpacific Kahuna Airlines jet midflight.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
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Geraldine walked over to Felix and Jane’s for fish soup, through long autumn shadows in the park, haze rising like smoke from the grass, illumined by the low sun.—
Tessa Hadley,
New Yorker,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Recovery of the bodies has been slow because of the chemicals and other hazards present at the site, Amos explained.—
Adam England,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
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Taken together, those cultural threads help explain why food – and especially meat – carries an outsized symbolic role in Texas politics, where the official state dish, adopted in 1977, is chili, defined by its significant meat base.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
Verb
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To critics, Harden's comments illustrated how economic incentives can outweigh public commitments to free expression when China is involved.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
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The raise for Surtain also illustrates the options the Broncos had in mind while building up considerable cap space entering the summer.—
Nick Kosmider,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
Verb
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Urbon’s grand slam highlighted a five-run rally in the fourth.—
Jose de Jesus Ortiz,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
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Bibliophiles can stroll through exhibits showcasing library lore that highlights the enduring enchantment of books, along with the Book Fair offering various genres of books for sale, such as mystery, sci-fi, and romance.—
Catharine Kaufman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 May 2026
Verb
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Open-minded, passionate, forthright and brave, Eva is well-educated, well-read, adventurous, generous of spirit, a world-traveler.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
2 June 2026
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His enforcers were trained in torture techniques by the CIA and educated in the theories expounded by the political scientist Samuel Huntington.—
Wyatt Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
2 June 2026
Verb
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Local touches were everywhere, from an extensive collection of books ranging from South African chick-lit to memoirs of Nelson Mandela, Trevor Noah, and Siya Kolisi to a mini-bar stocked with gin, rum, and brandy made with Cape Fynbos plants.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
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The problem is that most homes are lit the same way from breakfast to bedtime, and that flat unchanging signal works against you at the wrong hours.—
Allison Palmer
June 2,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 June 2026
Verb
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Speaking to Rob Bradford on the Baseball Isn’t Boring podcast prior to Thursday’s game against the Atlanta Braves, Anthony clarified the exact nature of his injury, which was officially announced by the team as a right wrist sprain.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
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If a co-worker asks for help, clarify a fair boundary, then trade a small favor for a realistic timeline.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
29 May 2026
Verb
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In July 2025, Hurley revealed another one of her tricks for taking the best bikini photos, emphasizing that lighting was key.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
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Cheng agreed, emphasizing the point during his opening keynote appearance, citing copyright concerns in part.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illuminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illuminate. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
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