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
These fruits are tiny stars, planets in arm’s reach,
little moons reddened by desire and cunning,
the sun, at each step, illumines the petals of the dogwood flowers, their bright yellow is dimmed by no leaf, on their still-bare branches the first fissure in winter opens up by magic.
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Literary Hub, 19 May 2025
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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illumine
Verb
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Trade and technology further illuminate the growing rift.—
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The glow of hundreds of candles illuminated the snowy residential street where Good had been killed.—
Verb
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Last session, lawmakers nearly passed a $3 million bill to help school districts educate students who need additional services, like a full-time nurse or an ASL interpreter, that can cost more than $50,000.—
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SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Verb
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Other recreational opportunities include, but are not limited to, swimming in one of four separate pool areas, skating on an outdoor rink that is covered, lighted, and available for 20 weeks of the year, tennis, and there are hiking trails.—
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Attendees heard remarks from city leaders and lit candles in honor of Good.—
Verb
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Not even those who, inspired by occasional bouts of yellow fever, had sure access to fleeting moments of lucidity.—
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Along with starring in Sorry, Baby, Victor also wrote and directed the film, inspired by her own traumatic experiences.—
Verb
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How to Eat To brighten up your winter menu, make a tropical-fruit juice salad with kiwi.—
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An InStyle writer swears by the Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Concealer for brightening her dark under-eye circles and acne marks.—
Cite this Entry
“Illumine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illumine. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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