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
Each fixture is topped with a discreet solar panel that charges throughout the day and automatically illuminates at night, so there's no wiring required.
—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Southern Living,
1 July 2026
The tournament also illuminates America's growing, yet often unacknowledged, passion for soccer, allowing fans to openly embrace the sport.
—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2026
Marina, for her part, reacts to every new face and each fresh piece of information with an instinctive guardedness—and Garcia illuminates, with an almost sphinx-like half smile, the preternatural reserve of someone who’s grown up knowing not to expect too much from people.
—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
26 June 2026
Sarris hopes that the novel illuminates an uncomfortable history of Sonoma County that remains largely invisible, looming beneath the soil of wine country.
—
Maddie Connors,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2026
The people in the margins Reading the grievances also illuminates a diverse cast of characters, one different from the 56 white men who signed the declaration, of whom nearly all were wealthy and of whom the majority had been enslavers.
—
Robert Parkinson,
The Conversation,
24 June 2026
In nearly every scene, the cockpit illuminates Fox in a gross green glow.
—
James Perkins Mastromarino,
NPR,
24 June 2026
The solar charging panel illuminates lights for up to eight hours, and there are eight colors—white, red, orange, yellow, green, teal, blue, and purple—to choose from.
—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 June 2026
Math illuminates how traffic flows, how our cells build proteins and even how to speed up medical imaging scans.
—
Carolyn Y. Johnson,
Washington Post,
14 June 2026
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Southern Living,
1 July 2026
The tournament also illuminates America's growing, yet often unacknowledged, passion for soccer, allowing fans to openly embrace the sport.
—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2026
Marina, for her part, reacts to every new face and each fresh piece of information with an instinctive guardedness—and Garcia illuminates, with an almost sphinx-like half smile, the preternatural reserve of someone who’s grown up knowing not to expect too much from people.
—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
26 June 2026
Sarris hopes that the novel illuminates an uncomfortable history of Sonoma County that remains largely invisible, looming beneath the soil of wine country.
—
Maddie Connors,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2026
The people in the margins Reading the grievances also illuminates a diverse cast of characters, one different from the 56 white men who signed the declaration, of whom nearly all were wealthy and of whom the majority had been enslavers.
—
Robert Parkinson,
The Conversation,
24 June 2026
In nearly every scene, the cockpit illuminates Fox in a gross green glow.
—
James Perkins Mastromarino,
NPR,
24 June 2026
The solar charging panel illuminates lights for up to eight hours, and there are eight colors—white, red, orange, yellow, green, teal, blue, and purple—to choose from.
—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 June 2026
Math illuminates how traffic flows, how our cells build proteins and even how to speed up medical imaging scans.
—
Carolyn Y. Johnson,
Washington Post,
14 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illuminates
Verb
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Uyeyama lights the burners with a long match, then turns the roaster on.
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Patio lights Having warm and inviting outdoor lighting can help set a relaxing evening mood.
Verb
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Maybe that explains her chaotic behavior when the crew goes out later that night.
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Deputy Ethan Weinzieri explains just some of the work the dogs do.
Verb
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James Wilson, a prominent attorney, best illustrates that evolution.
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The Pew report illustrates why homeownership is increasingly the province of older Americans, and why first-time buyers seem like a vanishing breed.
Verb
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Their leadership emphasizes quality, craftsmanship and long-term reputation over short-term gains.
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The American model emphasizes individual responsibility and personal choice.
Verb
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Texas, which educates roughly 1 in 10 of the nation's public school students, has been at the forefront of a charge by conservatives to incorporate more religion into classrooms.
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SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.
Verb
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The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act clarifies that states can establish their own procedures for counting ballots.
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Review a bill, then send a polite message that clarifies terms, because simple words protect value and invite respectful responses.
Verb
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The article highlights her efforts to help fellow inmates, teaching resume classes and establishing a private area for nursing mothers.
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The Ellisons' story highlights a bigger problem for this on Atlanta's south side - access to emergency and speciality care, one that has increased since the closure of Atlanta Medical Center South in East Point.
Verb
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July 23 – August 22 Leo, your playful spark inspires teamwork now.
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SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.
Cite this Entry
“Illuminates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illuminates. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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