as in instructive
providing useful information or knowledge
the show is an illuminating tutorial on ways to prepare popular dishes using wholesome ingredients
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in illumining
to supply with light
a floor lamp illuminates a living room rather nicely
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in explaining
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 illustrating
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 highlighting
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 educating
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 illuminating
Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Jan. 2025
Led by a performance of transfixing grace and subtlety from Ben Whishaw in the title role, the diaristic film spins compacted time into something free-flowing, expansive, illuminating and emotionally resonant, all of it achieved with elegant restraint.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Jan. 2025
Longreads, 19 Dec. 2024
The annual light show features music from past and present Disney light shows and parades with 50,000 traditional lights and 12,000-pixel lights illuminating in sync.
—Patrick Connolly, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for illuminating
Adjective
Taking place ahead of the film’s screening, the conversation — a last-minute schedule swap after a talk with Meryl Streep timed to the 30th anniversary of Out of Africa was canceled due to the Los Angeles wildfires — was equal parts sentimental and illuminating.
—Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Jan. 2025
Led by a performance of transfixing grace and subtlety from Ben Whishaw in the title role, the diaristic film spins compacted time into something free-flowing, expansive, illuminating and emotionally resonant, all of it achieved with elegant restraint.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Jan. 2025
Verb
Not when Weiss, when asked by a student why there aren’t any left-of-center faculty at a school that supposedly prides itself on illuminating truth through dialogue, suggested the left is just less interested in debate.
—Longreads, 19 Dec. 2024
The annual light show features music from past and present Disney light shows and parades with 50,000 traditional lights and 12,000-pixel lights illuminating in sync.
—Patrick Connolly, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for illuminating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illuminating
Adjective
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Reputational Crises Reputational crises can also be instructive.—
Roman Reznikov,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
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Here too, the historical parallel with animal cognition is instructive.—
David Chauvet,
JSTOR Daily,
26 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Now, the YouTuber has broken his silence — in a 21-minute video uploaded to his side channel with 272,000 subscribers that only spends around two minutes explaining his recent absence from the internet.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
24 Dec. 2024
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The Dolphins still have a 12 percent chance of making the playoffs, but Calais Campbell was in the locker room Sunday explaining how he might be released to sign with a contender once the postseason elimination becomes official.—
Josh Kendall,
The Athletic,
24 Dec. 2024
Verb
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On January 7, the National Sleep Foundation released data illustrating how crucial sleep is for work performance.—
Lieke ten Brummelhuis,
Forbes,
8 Jan. 2025
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There’s been more pushback to the expiration of several smaller districts Daley established around Midway Airport, illustrating why winding down TIFs can be tough for mayors to pull off politically.—
A.D. Quig,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Billions in tax dollars are spent educating Kentucky's public school students each year, with the largest chunk of change going toward the almost 100,000 staff members running the state's schools.—
Krista Johnson,
The Courier-Journal,
24 Dec. 2024
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This fosters inclusivity by respecting individual traditions, ensuring meaningful celebrations, and educating the team on these holidays, creating a workplace culture where everyone feels valued and included.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes,
20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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This has resulted in twice as many stories and informative points in the newspaper than in the past.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
20 Mar. 2025
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With its forced bonhomie, the show is neither informative nor engaging.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
The Mercury News,
18 Mar. 2025
Verb
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This now four-game winless run has been clarifying for the progress of the Maresca project.—
Liam Twomey,
The Athletic,
5 Jan. 2025
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The bill would update several pieces of language in existing law, clarifying requirements such as metal bars on doors and windows, adding sufficient interior lighting and authorizing law enforcement to access dealers’ security systems during an active investigation.—
Tim Clouser | The Center Square,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
4 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The Cohesive Couple stands out from typical relationship advice by emphasizing systems, habits, and accountability.—
Hilary Tetenbaum,
USA TODAY,
4 Jan. 2025
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The shift toward zero-trust security models will continue to dominate enterprise strategies, emphasizing that no user or device should be implicitly trusted.—
Lori Thomas,
Forbes,
3 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Princess Diana’s style is still inspiring generations.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
People.com,
30 Dec. 2024
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And the art of delegation requires inspiring direction, enabling resources, empowering authority, and credible accountability.—
George Bradt,
Forbes,
30 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Illuminating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illuminating. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.
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