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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
While the National Mall has already kicked off the year with illuminations on the Washington Monument, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival will take place June 18 to July 12.
—
Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 17 Jan. 2026
For this year’s peak in the early hours of July 31, only the most dramatic of the Capricornids will drop jaws, as a wanning gibbous moon (98 percent illumination) will spoil dark skies.
—Michael D'estries, Travel + Leisure, 16 Jan. 2026
The Base Station has programmable ambient light rings around the windows for illumination.
—Eric D. Lawrence, USA Today, 15 Jan. 2026
To increase illumination, the researchers went beyond working with MXene.
—Perri Thaler, IEEE Spectrum, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illumination
Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 17 Jan. 2026
For this year’s peak in the early hours of July 31, only the most dramatic of the Capricornids will drop jaws, as a wanning gibbous moon (98 percent illumination) will spoil dark skies.
—Michael D'estries, Travel + Leisure, 16 Jan. 2026
The Base Station has programmable ambient light rings around the windows for illumination.
—Eric D. Lawrence, USA Today, 15 Jan. 2026
To increase illumination, the researchers went beyond working with MXene.
—Perri Thaler, IEEE Spectrum, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illumination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illumination
Noun
-
But Payton can no longer live in the past as an explanation for his role in the future.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
1 Feb. 2026
-
There's just no other explanation.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Only superbright fireballs, with a magnitude of around minus 12 to minus 15 — roughly the same brightness in our sky as the moon — will be visible from our planet.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Meanwhile a separate report promises a striking upgrade for the iPhone 18 display, with greater brightness on offer.—
David Phelan,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Hop in a kayak to catch a glimpse of the enchanting, blue-green glow of the Bioluminescent Bay (which claims to have the brightest bioluminescence in the world), sunbathe on Vieques’s pristine beaches, or marvel at the wild horses that roam around the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge.—
Brittany Chang,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Best Clothing Deals Airport outfits just got a glow-up.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
South Korea’s legislature hasn’t ratified the trade agreement due to a dispute over conflicting interpretations of its implementation.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Jan. 2026
-
His administration has long advocated for a broad interpretation of the Second Amendment.—
BrieAnna J. Frank,
USA Today,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
Family circles will have wrapped themselves in the holy pleasures of the great occasion, and everywhere the grand old holiday will have been introduced with all the majesty and brilliancy which clings around the hallowed name of Christmas.—
Michael Barnes,
Austin American-Statesman,
23 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
The light of the day was fading.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Feb. 2026
-
The light is red and the trees purple; the tarmac is warm beneath your bare feet.—
Molly Aitken,
New Yorker,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Artworks by seven artists include illustrations, sculptures, screen printing, comics and collaborative projects that explore themes of humor, nostalgia and the subtle complexities of life.—
Alyson Rodriguez,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Jan. 2026
-
In a shocking piece of reporting, Cora Engelbrecht speaks to five Iranians who were present at the massacre and—with the help of video evidence and illustrations by Matt Huynh—shares their stories.—
Ian Crouch,
New Yorker,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Alas, her brushes with athletic brilliance proved fleeting.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Throughout the novel, Nikki works tirelessly to prove herself amongst industry male figureheads who don’t value her voice, personhood, and brilliance, while managing pressure from a boss who isn't her advocate and navigating challenging colleagues steeped in misogyny and who are power-hungry.—
Dominique Fluker,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illumination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illumination. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
