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
But a sweeping new analysis from Morgan Stanley Research offers a finding that cuts against the fear — and quietly illuminates something far more consequential about how AI is reshaping the American economy.
—
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2026
Their struggle has upturned the tabletop candle that illuminates the scene and any moment will surely extinguish it, effacing the giddy pattern formed by the writhing bodies and glowing, veiny bladder skin.
—Julian Bell, The New York Review of Books, 25 Apr. 2026
Set within the cloister of Santa Maria del Carmine, just a few steps from the Aesop Brera store, the installation will wink to how the brand illuminates every skin and room by unveiling Aposē, a trio of lights designed by the brand — one of which will be produced as a limited series.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 20 Apr. 2026
Approximately 45 states now allow high school athletes to earn NIL money, which shows the professionalization of youth sports and illuminates how parents can play a decisive role in shaping their children’s earnings.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 15 Apr. 2026
The other mode, Edge Light, illuminates your face by creating a virtual ring light around the edges of the display.
—Tony Hoffman, PC Magazine, 11 Apr. 2026
Ahmed’s electrifying turn illuminates the text, carefully honed by Lesslie.
—Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
An easel floor lamp by Angelo Lelii from Donzella illuminates Rodolfo Abularach’s painting Elena from Joe Sheftel Art & Advising.
—David Foxley, Architectural Digest, 10 Apr. 2026
Ahmed’s electrifying performance illuminates the text, carefully honed by Lesslie.
—Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2026
Their struggle has upturned the tabletop candle that illuminates the scene and any moment will surely extinguish it, effacing the giddy pattern formed by the writhing bodies and glowing, veiny bladder skin.
—Julian Bell, The New York Review of Books, 25 Apr. 2026
Set within the cloister of Santa Maria del Carmine, just a few steps from the Aesop Brera store, the installation will wink to how the brand illuminates every skin and room by unveiling Aposē, a trio of lights designed by the brand — one of which will be produced as a limited series.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 20 Apr. 2026
Approximately 45 states now allow high school athletes to earn NIL money, which shows the professionalization of youth sports and illuminates how parents can play a decisive role in shaping their children’s earnings.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 15 Apr. 2026
The other mode, Edge Light, illuminates your face by creating a virtual ring light around the edges of the display.
—Tony Hoffman, PC Magazine, 11 Apr. 2026
Ahmed’s electrifying turn illuminates the text, carefully honed by Lesslie.
—Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
An easel floor lamp by Angelo Lelii from Donzella illuminates Rodolfo Abularach’s painting Elena from Joe Sheftel Art & Advising.
—David Foxley, Architectural Digest, 10 Apr. 2026
Ahmed’s electrifying performance illuminates the text, carefully honed by Lesslie.
—Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illuminates
Verb
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Mike Jones of The Athletic explains why the lack of top-tier quarterback prospects beyond Fernando Mendoza limits the intrigue typically expected of NFL drafts.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Each mural is accompanied by a link to the project’s website, which explains its mission and provides background on and pictures of each plant species featured in the murals.—
Madeline King,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But the central bank’s latest meeting illustrates the quagmire Warsh is about to wade into.—
Eleanor Mueller,
semafor.com,
29 Apr. 2026
-
But the Manus episode illustrates the limits of that strategy.—
Dewardric L. McNeal,
CNBC,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
GalaxyBids emphasizes its unique position as an alternative to the traditional shopping sites that some may find dull or monotonous.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
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Marketing professor Jonah Berger emphasizes that understanding linguistics can enhance our communication skills, enabling us to fit in, persuade, engage, and positively influence others, especially with the aid of advanced language analysis tools and his SPEACC Framework.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
K. R. Callaway,
Scientific American,
24 Apr. 2026
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In 2019, the New York City Department of Education, which educates 900,000 children across some 1,600 schools, held a mandatory anti-bias training for all administrators.—
Steven F. Wilson,
The Atlantic,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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For some, a Day 3 NFL draft selection lights a competitive fuse, so to speak.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Long evenings stretch out, iced drinks sweat in your hand, and porch lights flicker on just as the air begins to hum with those all-too-familiar pests.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The attorney then clarifies if his testimony is that Randklev went through the training, but had not read any part of the act.—
Fousia Abdullahi,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Apr. 2026
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The platform compares plans based on usage and clarifies performance and speed requirements so users can pick a long-term plan that suits their household.—
Wyles Daniel,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This outlook is based on themes from Bill Jones' Big Green NFL Draft Scouting Notebook, which highlights the Cowboys' emphasis on intelligence, versatility, and maturity on defense, as well as their need to add more top‑100 picks to address multiple roster holes.—
Bill Jones,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
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This event highlights the powerful connection between the Mobil™ brand and the high-performance world of the VCARB Formula One™ team, bringing fans closer to the action than ever before.—
Mobil™ Fuels,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But what inspires me is the idea of putting something beautiful into the world.—
James Manso,
Footwear News,
28 Apr. 2026
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So my hope is that at least a single candidate ups their game and comes to voters with not just attacks, but something that inspires, something that sets them apart.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illuminates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illuminates. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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