as in instructive
providing useful information or knowledge
the show is an illuminating tutorial on ways to prepare popular dishes using wholesome ingredients
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in illumining
to supply with light
a floor lamp illuminates a living room rather nicely
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in explaining
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 illustrating
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 highlighting
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 educating
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 illuminating
Keith Murphy,
VIBE.com,
7 June 2026
The last episode involved horrifying doll monsters and a very illuminating mushroom trip.
—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2026
Danny Klein,
SPIN,
26 June 2026
Key ingredients in hydrating or illuminating setting powders include skin care like hyaluronic acid, squalane, mica or silk powders, ceramides, and antioxidants like vitamin E or green tea extract.
—
Brigitt Earley,
Glamour,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for illuminating
Adjective
In an illuminating scene from Michael, the record-breaking, debate-igniting music biopic, the future King of Pop and his brothers are relaxing at the pool inside the Jackson family’s lavish Hayvenhurst Estate in Encino, California.
—
Keith Murphy,
VIBE.com,
7 June 2026
The last episode involved horrifying doll monsters and a very illuminating mushroom trip.
—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2026
Verb
Tall towers framed the stage and surrounding grounds, illuminating the coastal skies with lights, lasers and imagery.
—
Danny Klein,
SPIN,
26 June 2026
Key ingredients in hydrating or illuminating setting powders include skin care like hyaluronic acid, squalane, mica or silk powders, ceramides, and antioxidants like vitamin E or green tea extract.
—
Brigitt Earley,
Glamour,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for illuminating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illuminating
Adjective
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The case of Okinawa, a group of relatively poor islands in the south of Japan, is instructive.
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The Australia Reality Check Australia implemented a similar ban in December 2025, and the results are instructive.
Verb
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Deadly wildfires raging across western states have prompted fire officials to ask patriotic Americans to pause before lighting fireworks this year.
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In the clip, Cannon could be seen lighting a candle and visiting a local hospital in honor of his son.
Verb
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Infographic explaining Euclid's survey ESA The original image was captured in black and white, but color was added using observations from the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope located in Hawaii.
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The original is a minor Harding work, Bacon said, explaining why judges might not have recognized Allan’s submission as a re-creation.
Verb
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The rain and the plumbing disasters and the reservation-system crises and Richie’s inability to cancel anyone’s dinner all come right on top of one another, illustrating how frightening and overwhelming the day has become.
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While investors concentrate on NVIDIA's staggering growth rate, an even more revealing figure resides in its supply commitments, illustrating a calculated strategy to satisfy demand that skeptics argue may not be viable.
Verb
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However, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy on Thursday warned that safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz would only be permitted via routes designated by Tehran, highlighting that risks to the key shipping lane remain.
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The show includes photos, cultural projects, personal stories and more, highlighting the establishment and development of the Hmong community in Minnesota.
Verb
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Another $10 million would go toward educating voters on the state's election process, with half of that going to counties and the rest going to the state.
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The summit will focus on educating the community about regenerative agriculture and other sustainable practices and identifying barriers of entry and solutions to those barriers for farmers.
Adjective
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Without ownership, documentation becomes a museum exhibit that may be informative but irrelevant.
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The last category, for France, is especially informative.
Verb
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German courts are clarifying a gray area in the 2024 cannabis reform regarding the legal status of cannabis cuttings.
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After Micah’s birth, Lauryn posted a statement on X clarifying that Rohan was not her newborn's father.
Cite this Entry
“Illuminating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illuminating. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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