1
as in to illumine
to supply with light
a floor lamp illuminates a living room rather nicely
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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
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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
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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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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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of illuminate
But by inching closer, mathematicians have developed powerful new tool kits and illuminating new perspectives.
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Jordana Cepelewicz, Quanta Magazine, 16 Dec. 2024
Understanding the behavior and movement patterns for any species is illuminating, but particularly with humpback whales, whose populations have rebounded in recent decades after being decimated by commercial whaling.
—Alexandra E. Petri, New York Times, 13 Dec. 2024
Zoom in: The Greater DSM Botanical Garden's dome and tropical plants are illuminated with thousands of lights.
—Jason Clayworth, Axios, 5 Dec. 2024
According to the Rockefeller Center website, the evergreen comes from West Stockbridge, Mass., and will be illuminated during the Christmas at Rockefeller Center special that airs live at 8 p.m. Eastern time on NBC and Peacock.
—Kate Hogan, People.com, 5 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for illuminate 
Jordana Cepelewicz, Quanta Magazine, 16 Dec. 2024
Understanding the behavior and movement patterns for any species is illuminating, but particularly with humpback whales, whose populations have rebounded in recent decades after being decimated by commercial whaling.
—Alexandra E. Petri, New York Times, 13 Dec. 2024
Zoom in: The Greater DSM Botanical Garden's dome and tropical plants are illuminated with thousands of lights.
—Jason Clayworth, Axios, 5 Dec. 2024
According to the Rockefeller Center website, the evergreen comes from West Stockbridge, Mass., and will be illuminated during the Christmas at Rockefeller Center special that airs live at 8 p.m. Eastern time on NBC and Peacock.
—Kate Hogan, People.com, 5 Dec. 2024
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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Bird noise gives way to a low drone, which then multiplies, creating a harmonic buzz—a chorus of leaf blowers, Bachman explains, similar to the models used to clear fire lines and recorded years earlier at a landscaping job.Brendan Fitzgerald, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Dec. 2024
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Williams explained the goal on the final play, a fourth-and-10 prayer that went unanswered, one that fell into the arms of Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen, ending Williams’ streak of passes without a pick at 353, the fourth longest in NFL history.Kevin Fishbain, The Athletic, 27 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The potential financial losses revealed in this lawsuit are substantial, illustrated by the tenuous position of key players like Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick, along with the sponsorship of Monster Energy.Gord Magill, Newsweek, 21 Dec. 2024
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The timing and rapid pace of these announcements—particularly in light of Google's competing releases—illustrates the intensifying competition in AI development.Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 20 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The Senate report highlights Alito's resistance to recuse himself from cases involving President-elect Donald Trump or the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot after flags associated with the insurrection were seen flying at two of his homes.Gord Magill, Newsweek, 21 Dec. 2024
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Since 2019, Javier Farfan has been the quarterback — or, el mariscal de campo — overseeing a massive push to highlight the league-wide spectrum of Latinidad.Alan Chazaro, NPR, 21 Dec. 2024
Verb
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These beautiful American Women quarters will be in circulation for decades to come and continue to educate the American people on our incredible honorees.Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 18 Dec. 2024
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Children are never too young to become Swifties, which is why one mom has delighted the internet by educating her four kids on the singer's backlog of music videos (AKA theatrical masterpieces).Alyce Collins, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Burning wood and lighting fireworks can raise smoke concentrations.Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 16 Dec. 2024
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The celebration includes lighting a candle each day of Hanukkah using a menorah.Chris Sims, The Indianapolis Star, 13 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The 33-year-old also clarified his relationship with Sayed, denying any romantic involvement in a series of candid posts.Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 26 Dec. 2024
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This misunderstanding can result in inaccurate measurements if the recipe doesn't clarify further with weights or detailed instructions.Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 26 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Apart Smart Air Technology's app emphasizes gathering more data, using less material, and reducing labor costs, aiming to offer greater benefits than existing systems.Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 18 Dec. 2024
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Jenkins emphasizes the pair’s intimacy with close-up shots of their expressive faces and their bodies while playfully jostling or conspiring to prank the adults.Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Illuminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illuminate. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
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