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
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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
Van Gogh’s Starry Nights at NYBG Visitors can also experience the exhibit after dark at Starry Nights, when live music and lights illuminate these inspiring creations.
—
Irene S. Levine, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
For many centuries, historians assumed that in ancient times, the chamber was brightly illuminated by the Grecian sun.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 May 2025
Her immense talent will illuminate our film and will bring Nathalie’s vision to life.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 14 May 2025
Maehara was riding his electric bicycle on Merle Drive in Montebello, not far from his home, around 10 p.m. on April 29 when headlights from a car approaching him from behind illuminated his path.
—Caroline Petrow-Cohen, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for illuminate
Irene S. Levine, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
For many centuries, historians assumed that in ancient times, the chamber was brightly illuminated by the Grecian sun.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 May 2025
Her immense talent will illuminate our film and will bring Nathalie’s vision to life.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 14 May 2025
Maehara was riding his electric bicycle on Merle Drive in Montebello, not far from his home, around 10 p.m. on April 29 when headlights from a car approaching him from behind illuminated his path.
—Caroline Petrow-Cohen, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for illuminate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illuminate
Verb
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Rev 21:10), an ark of salvation sailing through the waters of history and a beacon that illumines the dark nights of this world.—
Daniel Burke,
NPR,
9 May 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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Furthermore these efforts should also find ways to explain the costs of AI use from an environmental perspective.—
Ron Schmelzer,
Forbes.com,
7 June 2025
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Nivola in Lochlan’s season-ending near-death experience and Koch in a one-take episode in which Erik explains to his attorney the abuse within the Menendez household.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
7 June 2025
Verb
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However, as one family’s experience illustrates, the story of the Great Wealth Transfer is far more complex.—
Joseph Coughlin,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
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To illustrate the scale of this complexity, Lin explains that there can be seemingly endless ticket combinations for trips between Los Angeles and London.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
1 June 2025
Verb
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Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez highlighted that the vast majority—94%—of these visas were granted in connection with real estate investments in already strained housing markets, such as Madrid and Barcelona.—
Alex Ledsom,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
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This project highlights an urgent example of how the erosion of corporeal boundaries can become alarmingly dangerous.—
Jessica Simmons-Reid,
Artforum,
1 June 2025
Verb
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Many school districts pay private providers to educate students with special needs.—
Emilia Otte,
Hartford Courant,
30 May 2025
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The hands-on displays are designed to educate about teamwork, deduction, health care, coordination, agility and cognitive thinking, among others.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 May 2025
Verb
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His cast includes manatees who use flatulence to control their buoyancy and cave dwelling fungus gnats that create beautiful, illuminated fly-traps from the mucus lit by their bioluminescent butts.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
27 May 2025
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The Democrats are getting ready to light $20 million on fire to study their unpopularity!—
Naomi Lim,
The Washington Examiner,
27 May 2025
Verb
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Use these prompts to clarify thinking, then test insights through actual leadership situations.—
Sarah Hernholm,
Forbes.com,
7 June 2025
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While the wording from Van Duyne appeared to suggest that SBA funds would only be available to U.S. citizens, rather than businesses under foreign or undocumented ownership, the bill itself clarified that green card holders would be eligible to apply.—
Dan Gooding
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
Verb
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President Obama emphasized battery-electric vehicles and solar, while President Trump focused on fossil fuels.—
Robert Rapier,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
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Beach emphasizes that sales solve everything, advising entrepreneurs to focus relentlessly on revenue generation before perfecting other aspects.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
28 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illuminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illuminate. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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