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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of illumine
Rev 21:10), an ark of salvation sailing through the waters of history and a beacon that illumines the dark nights of this world.
—
Daniel Burke, NPR, 9 May 2025
The lighting illumines each river in brilliantly bright backdrop colors.
—Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2025
The lighting illumines each river in brilliantly bright backdrop colors.
—Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2025
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
First a dazzling light show that illumined the arena in a constellation of purple.
—NBC News, 5 Aug. 2024
Hung’s defense of artistic passion starts with the human touch, then illumines our basic needs and spiritual appetite.
—Armond White, National Review, 9 Feb. 2024
The papaya-pulp glow of sodium lights on a remote station’s platform revealed the denizens of the wayside: disused open-top hoppers, empty coil cars, corroded gondolas, a modest village in the distance illumined by weak-yellow streetlamps.
—Mark Orwoll, Travel + Leisure, 18 July 2023
Daniel Burke, NPR, 9 May 2025
The lighting illumines each river in brilliantly bright backdrop colors.
—Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2025
The lighting illumines each river in brilliantly bright backdrop colors.
—Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2025
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
First a dazzling light show that illumined the arena in a constellation of purple.
—NBC News, 5 Aug. 2024
Hung’s defense of artistic passion starts with the human touch, then illumines our basic needs and spiritual appetite.
—Armond White, National Review, 9 Feb. 2024
The papaya-pulp glow of sodium lights on a remote station’s platform revealed the denizens of the wayside: disused open-top hoppers, empty coil cars, corroded gondolas, a modest village in the distance illumined by weak-yellow streetlamps.
—Mark Orwoll, Travel + Leisure, 18 July 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illumine
Verb
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With the water rapidly rising, the campers spent the night on the second floor, illuminated by flashlights.—
Rebekah Riess,
CNN Money,
12 July 2025
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The legends are shine through, enabling the backlights to clearly illuminate each keycap.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
Verb
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The panel called on the convention crowd to educate themselves on their rights and speak out about their concerns — and not just online.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
14 July 2025
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And as the number of A schools creeps upward, that’s ignited a debate on whether Florida is grading its schools effectively, and whether grade inflation is masking continued difficulties educating students.—
Steven Walker,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 July 2025
Verb
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However, the set up casts light far beyond the highway, extending onto beaches even 12 miles away, including Little St. Simons and Sapelo.—
Julianna Bragg,
CNN Money,
26 July 2025
-
Earlier this week, McIntyre lit into Scott with some NSFW criticisms of the rapper, a sign that WWE’s relationship with Scott was on the ropes.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
26 July 2025
Verb
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The Baxter Building The Baxter Building, the Baxter apartment, and Reed’s lab within it are very much inspired by the architecture of Saarinen and Niemeyer.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
26 July 2025
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Billy Joel has written some of the biggest hits of his generation, some of which were inspired by his family.—
Jordana Comiter,
People.com,
26 July 2025
Verb
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Meanwhile lactic acid, a gentle exfoliant, brightens the skin.—
Jessica Kasparian,
SELF,
21 July 2025
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Holding the door, offering a genuine compliment, or expressing gratitude can brighten someone else’s day and shift your own mindset in the process.—
William Arruda,
Forbes.com,
18 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illumine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illumine. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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