illuminates

verb

present tense third-person singular of illuminate
1
as in illumines
to supply with light a floor lamp illuminates a living room rather nicely

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in explains
to make plain or understandable the museum's exhibit on the refraction of light really illuminated the subject for us

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in illustrates
to supplement with pictorial matter for the purpose of explanation or decoration no one knows for sure the identity of the artist who illuminated that medieval manuscript so beautifully

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in emphasizes
to indicate the importance of by centering attention on the results of the statewide testing illuminated the need to place more focus on instruction in math and science

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in educates
to provide (someone) with moral or spiritual understanding how man is illuminated by a higher spirit

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 illuminates During the Halloween season, Shawn and Ryan Tofte’s house illuminates with a cool blue hue while jack-o’-lanterns provide a warm glow on the steps and yard. — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026 Unlike a standard microscope, which illuminates an entire sample at once and can produce blurry images, a confocal microscope focuses on one depth level at a time. — Molly Herring, Quanta Magazine, 21 Oct. 2026 With her clear sense of purpose and self-belief, Chase illuminates our own generative and creative capacities, inspiring and delighting in equal measure. — Ruth Negga, Time, 30 Sep. 2026 The Aries Full Moon illuminates your private 12th house, bringing an old emotion, habit, memory, or attachment closer to the surface. — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026 Each such pattern illuminates a fragment of the absolute Galois group’s structure. — Lyndie Chiou, Scientific American, 22 Sep. 2026 Organized in collaboration with the Museum of Applied Arts, Vienna (MAK), the Jewish Museum’s latest exhibition illuminates how these women became central to the Wiener Werkstätte’s commercial success in Austria and beyond. — Stephanie Sporn, Vogue, 20 Sep. 2026 When the traffic light turns red, the blue light illuminates simultaneously. — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2026 However, as the title suggests, the process of wrapping up his affairs illuminates political, professional and personal contours previously unseen, in remarkably surprising ways. — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illuminates
  1. lights
  2. explains
  3. illustrates
  4. emphasizes
  5. educates
  6. clarifies
  7. highlights
  8. inspires
Verb
  • If Mick hadn’t come cruising into that playground, lights off?
    — George Saunders, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Alex Consani walks into a room and lights the whole thing up.
    — Time, Time, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of lights
Verb
  • But the stock market is also known for volatility, which explains why some people shy away from investing in it.
    — Maurie Backman, Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2026
  • George Bonanno, a psychologist at Columbia University, explains that many people who have intense symptoms initially—such as nightmares and flashbacks—won’t develop PTSD.
    — Maia Szalavitz, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of explains
Verb
  • Listen displays album artwork and playback information, while Climate illustrates cabin airflow and seat temperature.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The record illustrates how artists can combine music, video content, and direct engagement with listeners.
    — Kaitlyn Gomez, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of illustrates
Verb
  • According to Gatto, the right traditionally emphasizes tougher criminal penalties for aggressors, while the left places greater emphasis on protection and support for victims, including shelters and specialized services.
    — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The approach—which emphasizes empathy, boundaries, and collaboration over punishment—has drawn a fair share of criticism.
    — Alex Vance, Parents, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of emphasizes
Verb
  • Not long after, the school system, which educates more than 150,000 students, changed its admissions practices to eliminate an extra in-person exam.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The organization educates veterans about underutilized resources and opportunities.
    — Monique John, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of educates
Verb
  • The proposal clarifies that the city's contribution covers the actual costs of maintaining, operating, and managing the stadium.
    — Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026
  • But the list clarifies that restrictions don’t apply to licensing, partnerships, and contract research services involving these technologies.
    — Ed Silverman, STAT, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of clarifies
Verb
  • The exhibition highlights how trade routes connected the Arabian Gulf, East Africa, India, China, and Southeast Asia through the exchange of spices, pearls, textiles, jewelry, and religious beliefs.
    — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
  • However, Breslow’s absolute removal of the department highlights a more profound debate.
    — Syed Ahmad, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of highlights
Verb
  • The memories of their cozy kitchen inspires me to spend even more time in my own kitchen.
    — Carly Totten, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Like the Lego brand, Daft Punk inspires generations through creativity, innovation, and a deep connection with fans.
    — Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of inspires

Browse Nearby Words

illuminated
illuminates
illuminati
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Cite this Entry

“Illuminates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illuminates. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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