1
as in to illuminate
to supply with light
small table lamps illumine the inn's dining room in a most romantic way
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to educate
to provide (someone) with moral or spiritual understanding
readers of great literature are both entertained and illumined
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of illumine
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
The lighting illumines each river in brilliantly bright backdrop colors.
—Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2025
The lighting illumines each river in brilliantly bright backdrop colors.
—Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2025
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
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
First a dazzling light show that illumined the arena in a constellation of purple.
—NBC News, 5 Aug. 2024
Hung’s defense of artistic passion starts with the human touch, then illumines our basic needs and spiritual appetite.
—Armond White, National Review, 9 Feb. 2024
The papaya-pulp glow of sodium lights on a remote station’s platform revealed the denizens of the wayside: disused open-top hoppers, empty coil cars, corroded gondolas, a modest village in the distance illumined by weak-yellow streetlamps.
—Mark Orwoll, Travel + Leisure, 18 July 2023
Daniel Burke, NPR, 9 May 2025
The lighting illumines each river in brilliantly bright backdrop colors.
—Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2025
The lighting illumines each river in brilliantly bright backdrop colors.
—Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2025
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
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
First a dazzling light show that illumined the arena in a constellation of purple.
—NBC News, 5 Aug. 2024
Hung’s defense of artistic passion starts with the human touch, then illumines our basic needs and spiritual appetite.
—Armond White, National Review, 9 Feb. 2024
The papaya-pulp glow of sodium lights on a remote station’s platform revealed the denizens of the wayside: disused open-top hoppers, empty coil cars, corroded gondolas, a modest village in the distance illumined by weak-yellow streetlamps.
—Mark Orwoll, Travel + Leisure, 18 July 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illumine
Verb
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Getty Images What To Know The system works by illuminating a target—in this case, millimeter-size letters—with laser beams.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 May 2025
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Cavers shined their flashlights along a rock wall of a remote island in India and illuminated a massive creature.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
27 May 2025
Verb
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The hands-on displays are designed to educate about teamwork, deduction, health care, coordination, agility and cognitive thinking, among others.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 May 2025
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Many school districts pay private providers to educate students with special needs.—
Emilia Otte,
Hartford Courant,
30 May 2025
Verb
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The team tailors lighting and imaging techniques to each piece, ensuring the best possible results without compromising the object’s integrity.—
Courtney Lane,
Kansas City Star,
27 May 2025
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The Democrats are getting ready to light $20 million on fire to study their unpopularity!—
Naomi Lim,
The Washington Examiner,
27 May 2025
Verb
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On-site programming at Mountain Modern embraces Sedona's mystical vibes with crystal bowl sound baths, mindful meditation and breath work sessions, and ceremonies inspired by Indigenous traditions.—
Annie Archer,
Travel + Leisure,
27 May 2025
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Inside, the stage was inspired by the Biltmore Theater in Los Angeles, said art director Matt Fiuza.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 May 2025
Verb
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Choose White Paint White is a go-to when choosing a paint color that reflects light, brightens a space, and makes a room look bigger.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 May 2025
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The service harnesses the prebiotic power of sugar beets; the vegetable contains vitamin C and antioxidants that aid in brightening the skin.—
Tiffany Leigh,
Forbes.com,
6 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illumine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illumine. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
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