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
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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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in educating
to provide (someone) with moral or spiritual understanding
how man is illuminated by a higher spirit
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of illuminating
Lizz Schumer, People.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Once again, the initial state law might be an illuminating example.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Greg Norman, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2025
As Grace makes her way through a particularly punishing period in her coming-of-age, researching Morissette’s own path is illuminating (and upsetting), for both the character and Levack’s audience.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illuminating
Adjective
Marion Winik What starts as an investigation into the eroding social fabric of one small Ohio town becomes an incisive and illuminating look at what happens to people who feel abandoned as the world marches on.
—Lizz Schumer, People.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Once again, the initial state law might be an illuminating example.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Verb
Another showed string lights crisscrossing the ceiling of the crawl space, illuminating the area.
—Greg Norman, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2025
As Grace makes her way through a particularly punishing period in her coming-of-age, researching Morissette’s own path is illuminating (and upsetting), for both the character and Levack’s audience.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illuminating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illuminating
Adjective
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Newsom is also instructive here.—
W. James Antle III,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The turn for the worse is instructive.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Police took Taddese’s phone and vehicle as evidence, which alarmed the family, Bernard said, explaining some of the family’s reservations about the police investigation.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
12 Sep. 2025
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About The Daily Money Each weekday, The Daily Money delivers the best consumer and financial news from USA TODAY, breaking down complex events, providing the TLDR version, and explaining how everything from Fed rate changes to bankruptcies impacts you.—
Betty Lin-Fisher,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Far more than an after-party, the evening served as a cultural marker, illustrating how Black talent is not just participating in NYFW but actively shaping its future across fashion, beauty, and media.—
Corein Carter,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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While the details of the case are particular to one individual, experts say the outcome is far too common, illustrating the need for greater vigilance of, and advocacy around, a threat that kills a person every six minutes, according to the National Blood Clot Alliance.—
Paul Sisson,
Mercury News,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The milestone marks a symbolic win for the blue-chip index, highlighting the market’s resilience despite tariff concerns and signs of weakness in the economy.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
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In the meantime, the solar eclipse in Virgo brings emphasis to your values and sense of stability, highlighting ways to earn and manage your money.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In other words, the leaders need to be the leaders while upholding the standards set forth by the coaching staff – a staff that had offseason turnover limited to one full-timer – while educating and guiding the younger players.—
Tom Layberger,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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And while some may say academics exist in an ivory tower, the experience of welcoming generations of young people into our institutions each year provides a constant reminder of what is gained by educating young adults to ask why and why not rather than to rely on rote certainty.—
Brendan Harley,
Twin Cities,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Talk of money in Austen is always dramatic, never just informative.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Bazooka Joe invited 12 star athletes for a new collaboration, which combines the original theme of Joe delivering witty jokes with an informative component involving each sport.—
Shane Young,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As the weather cools, one of the easiest ways to create a cozy atmosphere at home is by lighting a fall-scented candle.—
Melody Kazel,
PEOPLE,
10 Sep. 2025
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Another challenge was lighting, to shoot everything in a visually coherent and realistic manner amid all the smoke.—
Tomris Laffly,
Time,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Musk directly condemned the posts that appeared to celebrate Kirk’s shooting, in one case clarifying a false claim that a Tesla employee had made one such mocking comment.—
Ashley Lutz,
Fortune,
12 Sep. 2025
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Ask clarifying questions and offer feedback that demonstrates the other person was heard and understood.—
Christopher Kaufman,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illuminating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illuminating. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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