illuminate

verb

i-ˈlü-mə-ˌnāt How to pronounce illuminate (audio)
Definition of illuminatenext
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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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

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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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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

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 illuminate Her second look, not yet revealed, has both solid and patterned versions, and is illuminated in glow dawn and enoki hues. — Katie Abel, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026 The Wall Street Journal's Jason Zweig, who has a comprehensive grasp of financial history and a deft touch for illuminating it, explores the echoes here. — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026 Minimalist solar lights illuminate the path once the sun sets. — Wendy Rose Gould, Martha Stewart, 31 Aug. 2026 Place one on the floor beneath a large houseplant to create dramatic shadows, illuminate your favorite collectibles in a display case, or tuck one by a mantel to showcase seasonal decor. — Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for illuminate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illuminate
  1. illumine
  2. explain
  3. illustrate
  4. highlight
  5. educate
  6. light
  7. clarify
  8. emphasize
Verb
  • Fantastic, illumined by periodic excursions into surrealism, as when the crew of a mysterious UFO boards a transpacific Kahuna Airlines jet midflight.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
  • Geraldine walked over to Felix and Jane’s for fish soup, through long autumn shadows in the park, haze rising like smoke from the grass, illumined by the low sun.
    — Tessa Hadley, New Yorker, 25 Jan. 2026
Definition of illumine
Verb
  • One of the questions, directed to David Hunt, director of finance for Entergy Arkansas, asks him to explain the reasoning for the classification of the payments.
    — Sydney Sasser, Arkansas Online, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Bernadette explains the racial nuances the Guardians might not know as newcomers to Earth, echoing the landmark 1971 Green Lantern/Green Arrow comic series, which attempts to bring the space cops down to Earth by exposing them to racial strife.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of explain
Verb
  • The application illustrates how intelligent multi-agent systems may support operational efficiency while addressing regulatory and compliance requirements.
    — Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The graphic below illustrates that Circati is not a centre-back who sticks a foot in too often, preferring to sit off and protect the space.
    — Thom Harris, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of illustrate
Verb
  • Held over 10 days each October, the event started in 1957 as a way to both highlight the bridges and unite the county’s communities in a tourism effort.
    — Julia Sayers Gokhale, Midwest Living, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Most videos across the network were titled with the name of a Democratic politician, followed by an all-caps verb highlighting a negative economic story, a recent scandal, or alleged corruption.
    — Max Tani, semafor.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of highlight
Verb
  • His campaign is trying to stamp out the stigma that surrounds an HIV diagnosis and educate people about the basics, such as how the virus can't be spread through touching or sharing food.
    — Betsy Joles, NPR, 2 Sep. 2026
  • My main goal is to educate and try and help clarify any confusion.
    — Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of educate
Verb
  • During the first hour, pine grove owners urged fire commanders to light a backfire a few hundred yards from Le Porge.
    — Michael Finnegan, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Down the hall, his girlfriend examines her birth chart, lights the palo santo and wonders whether Mercury is going to wreck her Tuesday.
    — Ryan Zickgraf, Washington Post, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of light
Verb
  • In a statement, an Axel Springer spokesperson clarified that The Circuit was technically incorporated in the US, with staff located around the world.
    — Max Tani, semafor.com, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Pabst also originally posted that a truck was stolen, though company officials later clarified no vehicle went missing.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of clarify
Verb
  • The European ministers in Copenhagen emphasized the new hubs would abide by European and international law.
    — Claudia Ciobanu, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Coaches have emphasized wanting a more explosive, downfield passing game and showed glimpses of it Thursday night.
    — PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of emphasize

Browse Nearby Words

illuminants
illuminate
illuminated
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Cite this Entry

“Illuminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illuminate. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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