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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to educate
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 illuminate
The magic begins as the sun sets, reflecting off the bay waters and illuminating Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont.
—
Dai Sugano, The Mercury News, 26 Jan. 2025
At night, the sculptures are illuminated with colorful lights.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Jan. 2025
As a rare planetary parade illuminated the evening sky, a few lucky guests here on Earth gathered to celebrate the NIGO Knows & Pharrell Knows Too sales, hosted through Williams’ digital auction house, Joopiter.
—Sam Falb, Vogue, 24 Jan. 2025
Understanding how these massive formations grow in size and interact with their surroundings helps better illuminate Earth’s planetary evolution.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for illuminate 
Dai Sugano, The Mercury News, 26 Jan. 2025
At night, the sculptures are illuminated with colorful lights.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Jan. 2025
As a rare planetary parade illuminated the evening sky, a few lucky guests here on Earth gathered to celebrate the NIGO Knows & Pharrell Knows Too sales, hosted through Williams’ digital auction house, Joopiter.
—Sam Falb, Vogue, 24 Jan. 2025
Understanding how these massive formations grow in size and interact with their surroundings helps better illuminate Earth’s planetary evolution.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for illuminate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illuminate
Verb
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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
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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
Verb
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Now, in a small hospital where soft sobs echoed off the sterile linoleum floors, Aaron Easton, the boy Sara married who grew up to be Marysville’s police chief, explained what happened: Sara had shot herself in the head.—
Ariane Lange,
Sacramento Bee,
26 Jan. 2025
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But money alone doesn’t explain the absence of conscience.—
Todd L. Pittinsky,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The match dashboard below illustrates their dominance.—
Beren Cross,
The Athletic,
3 Feb. 2025
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However, leaving it on while connected to an open network could expose it to security vulnerabilities, as illustrated by this viral Reddit post.—
Daniel R. Depetris,
Newsweek,
1 Feb. 2025
Verb
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His numerous patents and contributions to industrial literature highlight his ability to innovate and rethink traditional processes.—
Grace Butler,
USA TODAY,
1 Feb. 2025
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Every February, people in the United States highlight the history, achievements and impact of Black Americans as part of the celebration of Black History Month.—
Melissa Noel,
Essence,
1 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The office now is responsible for educating and developing strategies with the military on how to reduce civilian harm and working with allied nations on harm reduction strategies.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
30 Jan. 2025
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Three years later, Anaheim Union High School District trustees passed a resolution to sue Mexico for $50 million for the cost of educating people like me, who were the children of unauthorized immigrants.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Nothing lights her fire more than an emotionally intelligent man.—
Joel Thayer,
Newsweek,
27 Jan. 2025
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The climate crisis is pouring gasoline on these blazes, but the Mafia may be lighting the spark, according to new research.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN,
27 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Zelenskyy did not clarify whether humanitarian aid had been paused.—
SAMYA KULLAB,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Jan. 2025
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Justice Gorsuch, concurring with the decision to grant the stay, proposed that the Supreme Court should clarify whether district courts have the authority to issue universal injunctive relief.—
Matthew F. Erskine,
Forbes,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Cheekbones are emphasized when the bangs reach the tip of the nose (see Emily Ratajkowski).—
Philipp Wehsack,
Vogue,
28 Jan. 2025
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Polk emphasized that federal law guarantees every child's right to a public education, regardless of their immigration status.—
Michael D. Carroll,
Newsweek,
28 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Illuminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illuminate. Accessed 5 Feb. 2025.
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