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

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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

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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

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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 lights take eight hours to charge in full sun and automatically deliver up to 10 continuous hours of illumination overnight. — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 July 2026 Together, the two materials enable each pixel to both detect light and retain a memory of recent illumination within a single device. — Tereza Pultarova, IEEE Spectrum, 7 July 2026 There is also plenty of pomp, along with bells, bonfires, and illuminations. — Sheldon Pearce, New Yorker, 3 July 2026 Because these meteors tend to be faint, a waning gibbous moon (98 percent illumination) will wash out all but the brightest shooting stars. — Michael D'estries, Travel + Leisure, 1 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
  • Owner Aliana Gurris said the state canceled the business' contract to serve Medicaid clients with no explanation.
    — Larry Seward, CBS News, 31 July 2026
  • The statement was later deleted from the website with no immediate explanation.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
Definition of explanation
Noun
  • Not a bright idea For his study, Hainaut, who has worked as an astronomer for ESO for over 30 years, set out to simulate the locations, motion, and brightness of all existing and planned satellite constellations.
    — Chris Young July 28, Refractor, 28 July 2026
  • Samsung is still mum on the details of total brightness in this new line of devices.
    — Florence Ion, PC Magazine, 26 July 2026
Definition of brightness
Noun
  • Even Chalamet accepted money to do a commercial for prediction market Kalshi in the glow of his beloved New York Knicks winning the NBA championship.
    — Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 31 July 2026
  • When only a small number of holes arrive from the infrared detector because of dim illumination or long-wavelength photons, they are all captured by the red layer, and the device emits a low-brightness red glow.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026
Definition of glow
Noun
  • There are a lot of weird interpretations like this in the final rounds.
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 28 July 2026
  • Those discussions often uncovered ambiguities in documentation or policy interpretation that would never have surfaced through technical testing alone.
    — Arpan Saxena, Forbes.com, 27 July 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
  • As the balloon rose into the evening sky, riders could look out across the gardens while the setting sun covered the landscape in warm light.
    — Sophia Buonpane, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Plants and animals keenly sense the diminishing light, which acts as a master biological clock that triggers changes such as migration, shifting hormone levels and winter coat growth.
    — Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of light
Noun
  • Perhaps the most striking illustration involves a private intelligence firm staffed largely by former Israeli military and intelligence officers.
    — David Niccolini, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • An Emily Henry novel announces warmth, wit, emotional accessibility, and optimism through bright palettes, graphic illustration, and playful typography.
    — Madelyn Johnson, Literary Hub, 24 July 2026
Definition of illustration
Noun
  • The show’s brilliance is in its commitment to providing deep historical, political, and cultural analysis.
    — Frank Racioppi, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • Dubas, for all of his brilliance over the past two seasons — especially his run of trades — made two miscalculations.
    — Josh Yohe, New York Times, 27 July 2026
Definition of brilliance

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illuminating
illumination
illuminations
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Cite this Entry

“Illumination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illumination. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of illumination for Spanish Speakers

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