illumination

noun

i-ˌlü-mə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce illumination (audio)
Definition of illuminationnext
1
as in explanation
a statement that makes something clear the candidate's so-called illuminations of his views on a number of controversial issues left many voters in the dark

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in brightness
the quality or state of having or giving off light in that clime the illumination of the full moon on a clear night is so bright that you can practically read by it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in glow
the steady giving off of the form of radiation that makes vision possible a steady illumination from the flashlight was all I had while changing the tire

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 illumination The man from Bethlehem Lights is here to present his pre-lit trees, stately faux spruces twinkling with proprietary Color Prism illumination technology, 81 color and light combinations, the best time to purchase is now. — Hannah Engler Harvey, Longreads, 30 July 2026 Those wanting extra illumination can step up to the Onn Outdoor Floodlight Camera Hardwired. — Paul Lamkin, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026 Jonathan Parker, an MIT Sloan School of Management professor of financial economics, said that how assets—in this case businesses—change hands can sometimes offer illumination of broader economic patterns. — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 15 July 2026 And the 50,000-strong flock in 2035 will produce an as-yet unspecified number of hours of daylight illumination and ‘round the clock indoor-level lighting to customers who request it. — Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for illumination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illumination
  1. explanation
  2. brightness
  3. glow
  4. interpretation
  5. brilliancy
  6. light
  7. illustration
  8. brilliance
Noun
  • His best explanations for this are pressure from shareholders to prioritize immediate returns over long-term investments, and years of obsession with digital that came at the expense of physical retail.
    — Hilary Milnes, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The recreation is populated with people, animals, sound effects, and audio explanations.
    — Margherita Bassi, Popular Science, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of explanation
Noun
  • These zones adjust their brightness according to the content on screen, dimming darker areas while maintaining brightness in highlights.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The brightness and satisfying variety in textures and flavors brought me back to life after a long day of dancing and eating.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of brightness
Noun
  • Hobaiter and Dominy support this idea with half a dozen claims that could, in principle, be tested, lending some scientific credence to the idea that complex human speech was selected for in the warm glow of a crackling campfire.
    — Mike McRae September 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
  • While not dimmable, the shade is thick enough to keep the glow from feeling too harsh or bright.
    — Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of glow
Noun
  • Under the Taliban’s draconian interpretation of sharia, watching movies, playing chess, singing, and playing or listening to music are all banned.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Under certain interpretations of the 1963 rule, courts are not allowed to weigh whether a merger might make competition stronger overall.
    — Shubha Ghosh, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of interpretation
Noun
  • The result is an incredible repository of vexations, bafflements, witticisms, and brilliancies.
    — Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 1 June 2026
  • So, astronomers have come up with a compromise regarding the geometry of the sun's illumination angle on Venus' disk versus its distance from Earth to determine the time of Venus' greatest brilliancy.
    — Joe Rao, Space.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of brilliancy
Noun
  • In a corner of the park designed for 2 to 5-year-olds, colorful faux-houses named after units of electricity (volts, ohms, watts and amps) feature fake solar panels and buttons which activate sound effects and control small lights.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The scientists gave participants blind taste tests, then scanned their brains during tastings that involved cues such as flashes of light or pictures of a Coke or Pepsi can.
    — Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of light
Noun
  • But the circumstances provide an unusually good illustration of how potentially enormous financial advantage can be gained from knowing in advance what a president is about to say.
    — Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Holding cotton candy in one hand, Rani—whom Hudson shares with fiancé Danny Fujikawa—topped her long golden blonde hair with a cream cowboy hat that was embellished with her name and an illustration of a rose.
    — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of illustration
Noun
  • This is Lebanese cuisine in all its familiar, surprising brilliance.
    — Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Prince was indeed one of only one, a legendary artist and master musician with unprecedented style, faith, courage, dignity and brilliance.
    — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of brilliance

Browse Nearby Words

illuminating
illumination
illuminations
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All