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
Five palpably tense hours of questioning illuminated very little about what, if anything, Chew can do to quell lawmakers' fears.
—
Hanna Lustig, Glamour, 17 Jan. 2025
Early on Thursday mornings — just as daybreak’s hues of pink and orange illuminate the sky — the grounds of Mt. Zion Restoration Church transform into one of the largest hubs of resources for low-income and unhoused people in Gaston County.
—Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 14 Jan. 2025
Mars will be fully illuminated by the sun, providing the best viewing conditions from Earth.
—Carlie Procell, USA TODAY, 12 Jan. 2025
The full moon in Cancer on the 13th, however, will bring the focus back to your eighth house of intimate affairs, illuminating the emotional foundation of your one-on-one connections.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 10 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for illuminate 
Hanna Lustig, Glamour, 17 Jan. 2025
Early on Thursday mornings — just as daybreak’s hues of pink and orange illuminate the sky — the grounds of Mt. Zion Restoration Church transform into one of the largest hubs of resources for low-income and unhoused people in Gaston County.
—Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 14 Jan. 2025
Mars will be fully illuminated by the sun, providing the best viewing conditions from Earth.
—Carlie Procell, USA TODAY, 12 Jan. 2025
The full moon in Cancer on the 13th, however, will bring the focus back to your eighth house of intimate affairs, illuminating the emotional foundation of your one-on-one connections.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 10 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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This example illustrates how AI can enhance productivity while allowing humans to focus on tasks that require creativity and expertise.—
Dr. Aviva Legatt,
Forbes,
21 Jan. 2025
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The table below, displaying centre-backs signed, illustrates that dominance over other leagues.—
Jacob Whitehead,
The Athletic,
21 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Cambridge’s absence also highlighted the Buckeyes’ lack of depth.—
Sabreena Merchant,
The Athletic,
20 Jan. 2025
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Boykin’s remarks highlight a stark tension: the question of whether participating in such an event constitutes an endorsement of Trump’s policies—policies that have historically vilified and marginalized Black people.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
20 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Eaddy says the focus of the festival is to entertain, educate and inspire Black story tellers who have a desire to create stories of the struggles and the joys of the Black community.—
Kamal Morgan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
18 Jan. 2025
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The most important thing to Hatch has always been educating the kids.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacramento Bee,
17 Jan. 2025
Verb
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All types of lanterns are lighted throughout the streets, and poems and riddles are often written for entertainment.—
Jennifer Borresen,
USA TODAY,
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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Despite the reduction in scope, Fraga acknowledged that the development would still increase traffic on the already congested Northwest 87th Avenue, but emphasized that the revised plan was the best possible outcome, reducing the number of units by more than 1,000 from the original proposal.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
16 Jan. 2025
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Catania emphasizes the importance of aligning operational processes with customer expectations, such as enabling same-day or next-day delivery services.—
William Mullane,
USA TODAY,
16 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Illuminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illuminate. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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