1
as in illumines
to supply with light
a floor lamp illuminates a living room rather nicely
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in explains
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 illustrates
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 emphasizes
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 educates
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 illuminates
This philosophy illuminates why Vaz’s long-term goals are focused on professional success and meaningful community impact.
—
Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2025
Young’s work now illuminates marginalized histories, like his 2024 Lost Tribes of Florida suits in royal purple.
—Harriet Shepherd, Vogue, 5 Mar. 2025
The first quarter moon in Gemini on the 6th illuminates your sector of depth and merging, which could bring up some financial or emotional triggers.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, refinery29.com, 2 Mar. 2025
This single example illuminates how inequality permeates every aspect of American life impacting equal treatment, in ways that are obvious and subtle, intentional and unintentional.
—Lewis M. Rambo, Twin Cities, 2 Mar. 2025
The lamp features an ample head that illuminates your pages well.
—Nora Colomer, Fox News, 27 Feb. 2025
But are those responses worth the pixels the text illuminates?
—Chris Carosa, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
The Virgo lunar eclipse on March 14th illuminates your sector of depth and intimacy.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, refinery29.com, 27 Feb. 2025
The top portion has a twist-off battery compartment, a speaker, a microphone, a mini USB port, and an LED ring that illuminates with a spinning red line when the hub detects a potential security threat.
—PCMAG, 26 Feb. 2025
Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2025
Young’s work now illuminates marginalized histories, like his 2024 Lost Tribes of Florida suits in royal purple.
—Harriet Shepherd, Vogue, 5 Mar. 2025
The first quarter moon in Gemini on the 6th illuminates your sector of depth and merging, which could bring up some financial or emotional triggers.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, refinery29.com, 2 Mar. 2025
This single example illuminates how inequality permeates every aspect of American life impacting equal treatment, in ways that are obvious and subtle, intentional and unintentional.
—Lewis M. Rambo, Twin Cities, 2 Mar. 2025
The lamp features an ample head that illuminates your pages well.
—Nora Colomer, Fox News, 27 Feb. 2025
But are those responses worth the pixels the text illuminates?
—Chris Carosa, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
The Virgo lunar eclipse on March 14th illuminates your sector of depth and intimacy.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, refinery29.com, 27 Feb. 2025
The top portion has a twist-off battery compartment, a speaker, a microphone, a mini USB port, and an LED ring that illuminates with a spinning red line when the hub detects a potential security threat.
—PCMAG, 26 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illuminates
Verb
-
But of course, the fact that Bezos’s message meant anything partisan at all explains the problem for the rest of the progressive press.—
Tiana Lowe Doescher,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
28 Feb. 2025
-
This explains why knowledge of the structure of the Oort cloud has eluded scientists until now.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The tape illustrates something else.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
13 Apr. 2025
-
Some 80 kilometers southeast of Nairobi lies another satellite city project that illustrates just such a cautionary tale.—
Erika Page,
Christian Science Monitor,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Rooks emphasizes the plight of Black educators, who disproportionately lost their positions in Brown’s aftermath because of school consolidations.—
Justin Driver,
The Atlantic,
15 Mar. 2025
-
In an era dominated by CGI, Hung emphasizes the physical authenticity that defined Hong Kong action while acknowledging modern techniques.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
15 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
However, the bill’s text makes no mention of the riot and only clarifies that House data stored elsewhere is still under the control of House rules.—
Julia Shapero,
The Hill,
19 Dec. 2024
-
This fact clarifies Melton’s character.—
Longreads,
Longreads,
18 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
But Berner would still be white — specifically, the kind of white girl who gets in the face of a Black woman and yells at her that her mere existence inspires violence.—
Kathleen Newman-Bremang,
refinery29.com,
10 Mar. 2025
-
The moon’s connection to Mercury inspires trust.—
USA TODAY,
USA TODAY,
10 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
This once again demonstrates that Russia seeks to prolong the war and postpone peace for as long as possible.—
Barak Ravid,
Axios,
13 Mar. 2025
-
Speaking outside the Education Department’s headquarters Tuesday, Cambridge said his team has helped allocate billions of dollars to districts across the state without issues, which demonstrates the efficacy of telework.—
William Melhado,
Sacramento Bee,
12 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Lee stresses the importance of data, policy, and private investment.—
Geri Stengel,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
-
Rose also stresses the importance of preserving natural oils, recommending the occasional use of a clarifying shampoo to keep buildup in check.—
Erin Parker,
Allure,
3 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Roku Pay simplifies the process of singing up and managing subscriptions.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
7 Jan. 2025
-
Use Password Managers Creating strong, unique passwords for every online account can feel overwhelming, but a password manager simplifies the task.—
Alex Vakulov,
Forbes,
22 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Illuminates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illuminates. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
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