1
as in to illuminate
to supply with light
small table lamps illumine the inn's dining room in a most romantic way
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to educate
to provide (someone) with moral or spiritual understanding
readers of great literature are both entertained and illumined
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of illumine
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
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
First a dazzling light show that illumined the arena in a constellation of purple.
—NBC News, 5 Aug. 2024
Hung’s defense of artistic passion starts with the human touch, then illumines our basic needs and spiritual appetite.
—Armond White, National Review, 9 Feb. 2024
The papaya-pulp glow of sodium lights on a remote station’s platform revealed the denizens of the wayside: disused open-top hoppers, empty coil cars, corroded gondolas, a modest village in the distance illumined by weak-yellow streetlamps.
—Mark Orwoll, Travel + Leisure, 18 July 2023
There was in the Registry, besides, her portrait, painted by an artist of the time in the conventional style of the time: haloed, illumined, awestruck eyes fixed upward to the heavens.
—Cynthia Ozick, Harper’s Magazine , 10 Apr. 2023
The non-narrative videos, which may well come to be regarded as the Sistine Chapel of video art, projected onto epic screens above the orchestra and singers, serve not to illumine Wagner’s drama but his intent.
—Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 14 Dec. 2022
In addition, examples of illustration and decorative design by Holbein and others illumine the varied functions of a sixteenth-century court vocation.
—Peter Schjeldahl, The New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2022
Lauren Groff, The Atlantic, 28 Sep. 2024
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
First a dazzling light show that illumined the arena in a constellation of purple.
—NBC News, 5 Aug. 2024
Hung’s defense of artistic passion starts with the human touch, then illumines our basic needs and spiritual appetite.
—Armond White, National Review, 9 Feb. 2024
The papaya-pulp glow of sodium lights on a remote station’s platform revealed the denizens of the wayside: disused open-top hoppers, empty coil cars, corroded gondolas, a modest village in the distance illumined by weak-yellow streetlamps.
—Mark Orwoll, Travel + Leisure, 18 July 2023
There was in the Registry, besides, her portrait, painted by an artist of the time in the conventional style of the time: haloed, illumined, awestruck eyes fixed upward to the heavens.
—Cynthia Ozick, Harper’s Magazine , 10 Apr. 2023
The non-narrative videos, which may well come to be regarded as the Sistine Chapel of video art, projected onto epic screens above the orchestra and singers, serve not to illumine Wagner’s drama but his intent.
—Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 14 Dec. 2022
In addition, examples of illustration and decorative design by Holbein and others illumine the varied functions of a sixteenth-century court vocation.
—Peter Schjeldahl, The New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illumine
Verb
-
Kansas City landmarks glow red for the Chiefs Downtown Kansas City landmarks — including Union Station, the Kauffman Center and the Kansas City Marriott Downtown hotel — have been illuminated with red lights during the winter to cheer on the Chiefs after major wins.Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 18 Jan. 2025
-
Private School Demographics This pointed us to illuminating stories about the effects of segregation academies in communities that weren’t on anyone’s radar, certainly not mine.Jennifer Berry Hawes, ProPublica, 18 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
Face the facts as to what some Republicans believe about who should be educated, who should have the opportunities to advance themselves, who should have advanced degrees, who should be doctors and lawyers and engineers and scientists.Letters to the Editor, Orlando Sentinel, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Residents lit the lot with car headlights and a fog of wildfire smoke settled thickly on the intersection.Mel Buer, The Mercury News, 15 Jan. 2025
-
The dinner begins at sunset, and when night falls your table is lit by moonlight and twinkling lights.Caitlin Palumbo, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
This multi-collection collaboration will debut with an exclusive line inspired by the Emmy Award-winning series Afro Samurai by Gonzo K.K., with creative contributions from the legendary Wu-Tang Clan.Cassell Ferere, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
-
For a creative twist to any day on the island, The Library by the Sea serves up cocktails inspired by literary classics in a setting that feels both elegant and imaginative.Melissa Noel, Essence, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Teamed with a whole host of other vitamins (for synergistic purposes), this product brightens the skin whilst protecting it.Angela Lei, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
-
Free of parabens, fragrance, alcohol, and dye Good for all skin types Can be a bit strong for those with sensitive skin If dullness and uneven tone are a concern, this toner, infused with glycolic acid, will help brighten your complexion with minimal effort.Jordan Galloway, SELF, 3 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near illumine
Cite this Entry
“Illumine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illumine. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share