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
Beyond core metrics, telemetry should illuminate how players engage with features.
—
Pawan Gaargi, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Expect moments of clarity and flashes of brilliance to illuminate your path.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 28 June 2025
Together, the artworks in the exhibition illuminate critical aspects of Ringgold’s practice and convey how Ringgold, a lifelong educator, presents children as creative, purposeful art makers.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
That process gradually cleared the dense fog, allowing starlight to travel freely through space and illuminating the cosmos for the first time.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for illuminate
Pawan Gaargi, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Expect moments of clarity and flashes of brilliance to illuminate your path.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 28 June 2025
Together, the artworks in the exhibition illuminate critical aspects of Ringgold’s practice and convey how Ringgold, a lifelong educator, presents children as creative, purposeful art makers.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
That process gradually cleared the dense fog, allowing starlight to travel freely through space and illuminating the cosmos for the first time.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for illuminate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illuminate
Verb
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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
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The lighting illumines each river in brilliantly bright backdrop colors.—
Mark Swed,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Another royal source explained that layoffs were inevitable for the former royal family members.—
Lissete Lanuza Sáenz,
StyleCaster,
13 July 2025
-
The woman explained the extensive interviewing process as well as her concerns with pursuing the opportunity on the community forum Mumsnet.—
Brian Anthony Hernandez,
People.com,
13 July 2025
Verb
-
The three friends who wrote and illustrated the story felt that those three stages were the perfect way to justify the collaboration.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
8 July 2025
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Recursion's financial results presently illustrate the conventional hurdles encountered by clinical-stage biotechnology enterprises.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
Verb
-
The First Fridays events — held the first Friday of July, August, September and October — will highlight the others.—
Jesse Wright,
Chicago Tribune,
7 July 2025
-
The fact that the recent spike in geopolitical risk and oil prices drove only a small and temporary boost to the dollar highlights its newfound fragility, Francesco Pesole, FX strategist at ING, said in a note on June 26.—
Jenni Reid,
CNBC,
7 July 2025
Verb
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Lin was educated in China and Europe, but lived in the U.S. for three decades.—
Emily Feng,
NPR,
5 July 2025
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The public announcement attempts to educate taxpayers of the Form 3520-A reporting obligation, and the Practice Unit seeks to educate IRS examiners of the Form 3520-A penalties.—
Matthew L. Roberts,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2025
Verb
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At blue hour, Abe captured the foreground—the internal walls and water—gently lit by the setting sun.—
Carlyn Kranking,
Smithsonian Magazine,
14 July 2025
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Relatives said McFarlane went out with his buddies to celebrate Independence Day, and joined with a crowd of revelers lighting fireworks a few blocks from his home.—
Rebecca White,
New York Daily News,
13 July 2025
Verb
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Based on this research, the company hypothesized about what the issues are that give people trouble with these terms and concepts, though many such searches also could be conducted to clarify details or derive more information.—
Russ Wiles,
USA Today,
12 July 2025
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Casas has emphasized that the new agreement is primarily about clarifying responsibilities, not about radically changing the department’s behavior.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
12 July 2025
Verb
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However, unlike Biden’s orders--which routinely expanded whole-of-government regulatory frameworks--Trump’s 2025 orders emphasize dismantling Biden-era rulings and forcing courts to test the limits of streamlining frameworks.—
Clyde Wayne Crews Jr,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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This approach allows for subtle control over speech rhythm and tone, giving the user the ability to interrupt, emphasize, or ask questions just as anyone else would.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
1 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illuminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illuminate. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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