1
as in to illuminate
to supply with light
small table lamps illumine the inn's dining room in a most romantic way
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to educate
to provide (someone) with moral or spiritual understanding
readers of great literature are both entertained and illumined
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of illumine
Fantastic, illumined by periodic excursions into surrealism, as when the crew of a mysterious UFO boards a transpacific Kahuna Airlines jet midflight.
—
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
Geraldine walked over to Felix and Jane’s for fish soup, through long autumn shadows in the park, haze rising like smoke from the grass, illumined by the low sun.
—
Tessa Hadley,
New Yorker,
25 Jan. 2026
The bar was illumined by candles and an uplit line of mostly esoteric liquors along the full-length mirror against the back wall.
—
Lauren Groff,
The Atlantic,
28 Sep. 2024
In a room illumined by the light of a few candles, a group of women with veils over their faces conducts a séance.
—
Rhoda Feng,
ARTnews.com,
9 Aug. 2024
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
Geraldine walked over to Felix and Jane’s for fish soup, through long autumn shadows in the park, haze rising like smoke from the grass, illumined by the low sun.
—
Tessa Hadley,
New Yorker,
25 Jan. 2026
The bar was illumined by candles and an uplit line of mostly esoteric liquors along the full-length mirror against the back wall.
—
Lauren Groff,
The Atlantic,
28 Sep. 2024
In a room illumined by the light of a few candles, a group of women with veils over their faces conducts a séance.
—
Rhoda Feng,
ARTnews.com,
9 Aug. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illumine
Verb
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From the deck, Pawlak could see lightning illuminating the coastline like a fireworks show.
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What to read next Headquartered in Hawthorne, California, Reflect Orbital's vision is to deliver light on demand to solar power plants at night and to illuminate warzones and areas struck by natural disasters.
Verb
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Its young people are increasingly educated and ambitious but many are frustrated over fierce competition for limited jobs.
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During the two decades of American occupation, Afghanistan experienced a sort of peace, one in which women could be educated, work as professionals, and even serve in the military.
Verb
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Passionate Mars lights your 11th House of Friends and Community, forming a harmonious trine to transformative Pluto in your 7th House of Partnership.
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Outdoor features include a putting green and lighted horseshoe pit.
Verb
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Last night’s rude wakeup call inspires you to make some changes today!
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These 15 mountain towns in California offer contemporary amenities amid the beautiful landscapes that inspired one of nature’s most fervent champions.
Verb
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In a process known as photobleaching, the UV light breaks down the chemical bonds in pigments, which can brighten your whites.
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The light that shone from Red Beard’s joints brightened.
Cite this Entry
“Illumine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illumine. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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