1
as in illumines
to supply with light
a floor lamp illuminates a living room rather nicely
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in explains
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 illustrates
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 emphasizes
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 educates
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 illuminates
Starting in November, the Festival of Trees illuminates the space with a forest of evergreens, each individually decorated by local contributors.
—
Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 24 Oct. 2025
Scorpio season illuminates the balance of power and depth in your closest connections.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
The scene illuminates the story’s preoccupation not with the post-#MeToo world but with performance, hints of which can be found throughout the film.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 22 Oct. 2025
The frame features a front light that gently illuminates the screen when the room is bright, but it cannot be controlled directly.
—PC Magazine, 21 Oct. 2025
The magical Super Full Moon in Taurus illuminates the sky and highlights our sensual desires.
—Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 21 Oct. 2025
Lipan Point is especially beautiful at sunrise and sunset, when golden light illuminates the canyon walls.
—Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 17 Oct. 2025
To reach that destination, trust is the North Star—one that illuminates how gen AI will make organizations, and their people, more successful.
—Erik Roth, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2025
The Revitalizing Serum, made with mostly natural ingredients including red camellia extract, smooths and illuminates the skin while its counterpart—the Revitalizing Eye Serum—wakes up the gaze.
—Jenny Berg, Vogue, 1 Oct. 2025
Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 24 Oct. 2025
Scorpio season illuminates the balance of power and depth in your closest connections.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
The scene illuminates the story’s preoccupation not with the post-#MeToo world but with performance, hints of which can be found throughout the film.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 22 Oct. 2025
The frame features a front light that gently illuminates the screen when the room is bright, but it cannot be controlled directly.
—PC Magazine, 21 Oct. 2025
The magical Super Full Moon in Taurus illuminates the sky and highlights our sensual desires.
—Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 21 Oct. 2025
Lipan Point is especially beautiful at sunrise and sunset, when golden light illuminates the canyon walls.
—Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 17 Oct. 2025
To reach that destination, trust is the North Star—one that illuminates how gen AI will make organizations, and their people, more successful.
—Erik Roth, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2025
The Revitalizing Serum, made with mostly natural ingredients including red camellia extract, smooths and illuminates the skin while its counterpart—the Revitalizing Eye Serum—wakes up the gaze.
—Jenny Berg, Vogue, 1 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illuminates
Verb
-
The canal connected increasingly specialized regions in the early US, explains historian Roger Ransom.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
26 Oct. 2025
-
The fact that only 24 examples of the Torpedo exist—each with distinctive hull colors, fabrics, and leathers—explains the brand’s heirloom appeal.—
Michael Verdon,
Robb Report,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The anecdote also illustrates a leadership philosophy Weeks has maintained throughout his tenure.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Pacific transit route The family’s experience illustrates how Ecuador has become a critical route in the cocaine trade.—
David Culver,
CNN Money,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Rick also emphasizes cost avoidance as a discipline distinct from simple cost-cutting.—
Sixteen Ramos,
USA Today,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Paris with a display that emphasizes the poetic potential of materiality.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
23 Oct. 2025
-
The nonprofit museum maintains the property and educates the public on Fort Lauderdale’s rich — and relatively young — history.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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At sunset, lights the color of peach orchards, and the road was lit with candles made of honey wax.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Oct. 2025
-
These are for the artful burner, someone who lights a candle as much for its vibe as its aroma.—
Michael Stefanov,
Robb Report,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The announcement clarifies Bordeaux's return to active wrestling following her WWE exit.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Proposition 411 clarifies the city manager’s role.—
Maritza Dominguez,
AZCentral.com,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Later, the Cowboys-Broncos game highlights the late-afternoon window.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
-
The Institute for Policy Studies’ 2025 report, The Giving Pledge at 15, highlights that Laura and John were the only participants technically in compliance with the pledge since signing in 2010.—
Jessica Coacci,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Branching results like that inspires experimentation in character builds, which then encourages multiple playthroughs to see just how out-of-hand a situation could have gotten.—
Jason Fanelli,
Rolling Stone,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illuminates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illuminates. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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