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
Amid the blossoming love between Pierre and Francis, one soldier grapples with a decision that illuminates the movie’s choice of title.
—
David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 12 May 2026
That game illuminates the tension between self and community that has fueled the show’s longevity, and reflects the preoccupations of a country that has always been torn between the two.
—Julie Beck, The Atlantic, 12 May 2026
His struggle no longer illuminates much of anything.
—Judy Berman, Time, 5 May 2026
At the same time, faint light reflected from Earth softly illuminates the Moon, revealing mountains and craters in a dim twilight.
—Deana L. Weibel, The Conversation, 30 Apr. 2026
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
David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 12 May 2026
That game illuminates the tension between self and community that has fueled the show’s longevity, and reflects the preoccupations of a country that has always been torn between the two.
—Julie Beck, The Atlantic, 12 May 2026
His struggle no longer illuminates much of anything.
—Judy Berman, Time, 5 May 2026
At the same time, faint light reflected from Earth softly illuminates the Moon, revealing mountains and craters in a dim twilight.
—Deana L. Weibel, The Conversation, 30 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illuminates
Verb
-
Bo-Katan explains the Mandalorians who raised Din and taught him to never show his face are religious zealots known as the Children of the Watch, who broke from Mandalorian society.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
16 May 2026
-
Epigenetics explains how your behaviors and environment can affect how your genes act.—
Julie Scott,
Verywell Health,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Instability in several of the world’s most important energy suppliers illustrates how quickly geopolitical crises can ripple through global markets.—
Yu Jie,
Time,
13 May 2026
-
Greene’s experience illustrates a broader challenge.—
Davi Jacobs,
Baltimore Sun,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
One team emphasizes one angle, another picks something else, and the campaign feels disconnected.—
Maria Alonso,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
-
Finding inspiration everywhere, from fashion photography to Harajuku Girls, Gordon-Crozier especially emphasizes filmmaker Michel Gondry’s influence.—
Tomris Laffly,
Los Angeles Times,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Adam Kovac,
Scientific American,
15 May 2026
-
The Santa Ana Unified School District, which educates some 35,000 students across 52 campuses, was impacted, though.—
Kristy Hutchings,
Daily News,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Parallel Tales has Farhadi’s characteristic polish and DP Guillaume Deffontaines, who has worked frequently with Bruno Dumont, lights the interiors beautifully, lending subtle golden tones to the fiction scenes.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
-
In fossil fuel extraction zones — the Permian Basin in Texas, the Bakken fields of North Dakota, oil regions across the Middle East — lights flicker violently in sync with drilling booms and busts, bearing little relation to broader economic trends.—
Bree Shirvell,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
The new rule clarifies that for songs submitted as the first new music cue once the end credits begin, the video clip must include the last 15 seconds of the film before the credits begin.—
Marcus Jones,
IndieWire,
1 May 2026
-
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
Verb
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Set the scene Set on 25 acres atop a dramatic bluff overlooking the Caribbean Sea, the resort’s white exterior, punctuated by evocative arches, highlights the bright turquoise water below, creating a stunning setting.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
-
The festival highlights Mexican cuisine at its finest.—
Roger Sands,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Joseph Howlett,
Scientific American,
19 May 2026
-
The Taurus new moon inspires thinking about cycles of life, death, and rebirth.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illuminates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illuminates. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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