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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of illuminate
Use it as a benchmark to illuminate the stone walkway leading to your front door and say goodbye to the days of navigating the dark with a phone flashlight.
—
Blake Bakkila, Architectural Digest, 29 Apr. 2025
If anything, the new analysis just brings the risk your emails present into a brighter light to illuminate the darkness of the email threat landscape.
—Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
The tent also includes temporary bathrooms and showers and is illuminated by bright tube lighting that stays on throughout the night.
—Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 26 Apr. 2025
Speakers included longtime Sundance Programming head Kim Yutani, who sat for a rare and illuminating talk about her decades-long career.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illuminate
Blake Bakkila, Architectural Digest, 29 Apr. 2025
If anything, the new analysis just brings the risk your emails present into a brighter light to illuminate the darkness of the email threat landscape.
—Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
The tent also includes temporary bathrooms and showers and is illuminated by bright tube lighting that stays on throughout the night.
—Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 26 Apr. 2025
Speakers included longtime Sundance Programming head Kim Yutani, who sat for a rare and illuminating talk about her decades-long career.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illuminate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illuminate
Verb
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The lighting illumines each river in brilliantly bright backdrop colors.—
Mark Swed,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 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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This is where cryopreservation comes in, explains seed- and cryobiologist Manuela Nagel of the Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research, co-author of an article on cryopreservation in the 2024 Annual Review of Plant Biology.—
Katarina Zimmer,
Smithsonian Magazine,
2 May 2025
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Publisher Rockstar Games, a division of Take Two Interactive, explained in a statement to customers that the longer timeline will allow for a better final product.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
2 May 2025
Verb
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The series always made time for Midge’s (Rachel Brosnahan) inner life and personal relationships, illustrating how those factors affected her stage performance and overall life trajectory.—
Proma Khosla,
IndieWire,
27 Apr. 2025
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Use case studies and stories to illustrate your expertise, building social proof and authority.—
Amanda Miller Littlejohn,
Forbes.com,
27 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Duke's luck may be changing soon, as a video highlighting his story was shared to the DeKalb Humane Society's Facebook page earlier this week.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Apr. 2025
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From career milestones to new music releases to major announcements and those little important moments, Billboard editors highlight uplifting moments in Latin music.—
Griselda Flores,
Billboard,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Applications open today for the three month in-person program that will include six development sessions to educate and create access and community for up to 20 mentees across creative and management tracks.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
5 May 2025
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The material contained on this site is intended to inform, entertain and educate the reader and in no way represents an inducement to gamble legally or illegally or any sort of professional advice.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
4 May 2025
Verb
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Still, this season feels a lot like lighting a firecracker fuse, standing back, and… and… and… ah dang it this one’s a dud.—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
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As a first-time candidate, Trump lit the GOP field on fire with his heterodox presidential campaign, while Rubio at one point represented the last, best hope for the establishment Republican Party.—
Haisten Willis,
The Washington Examiner,
2 May 2025
Verb
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In her comments, the mom of four clarified why her son was wearing the boot.—
Hannah Sacks,
People.com,
2 May 2025
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But Boone and Chisolm later clarified that the Nassau, Bahamas, native had suffered an injury to his right oblique muscle.—
Jon Vankin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 May 2025
Verb
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Sheridan emphasizes that businesses should openly discuss costs and pricing on their websites.—
Shep Hyken,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
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The company emphasizes quality control improvements after past recalls.—
Olivia Evans,
USA Today,
3 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illuminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illuminate. Accessed 9 May. 2025.
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