illuminating 1 of 2

adjective

i-ˈlü-mə-ˌnā-tiŋ How to pronounce illuminating (audio)
Definition of illuminatingnext
as in instructive
providing useful information or knowledge the show is an illuminating tutorial on ways to prepare popular dishes using wholesome ingredients

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illuminating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of illuminate
1
as in illumining
to supply with light a floor lamp illuminates a living room rather nicely

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

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3
as in illustrating
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

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4
as in highlighting
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

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

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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 illuminating
Adjective
Oppenheimer’s team is among the most sophisticated macro analysts on Wall Street, and their framework is genuinely illuminating. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 17 June 2026 This marks an illuminating midpoint in the retrograde cycle, offering insight into the conversations, memories and emotional patterns that have recently resurfaced. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 21 June 2026
Verb
The image featured the actress and director, married to Brooklyn Beckham, sitting completely naked in a makeup chair, with bright lights illuminating her fresh hair and makeup. — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 25 June 2026 Key ingredients in hydrating or illuminating setting powders include skin care like hyaluronic acid, squalane, mica or silk powders, ceramides, and antioxidants like vitamin E or green tea extract. — Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for illuminating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illuminating
  1. instructive
  2. lighting
  3. explaining
  4. illustrating
  5. highlighting
  6. educating
  7. informative
  8. clarifying
Adjective
  • No deal is believed to be close, but the mere fact Blubaugh is being bandied about is instructive.
    — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 2 July 2026
  • Knowledge that previously seemed intuitive must be laid out in an instructive way.
    — Tomas Gorny, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of instructive
Verb
  • Masses of young people ages 15 to 25 packed the sand around the Newport Pier, lighting off fireworks that sent sparks into crowds.
    — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • When the deal was made last season, Zellers was lighting it up with the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL.
    — Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 5 July 2026
Definition of lighting
Verb
  • Carpino retired in April, without ever explaining what was not right in the organization or, based on the standings, repairing it.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • The traditional experience requires waiting on hold, explaining the situation and hoping an agent can help.
    — Shep Hyken, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of explaining
Verb
  • That's a key technical level watched and used by traders, illustrating a stock or index's trend.
    — Zev Fima,Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 5 July 2026
  • Wingate weaves this historical horror with a modern-day mystery, illustrating the lasting trauma of children stolen for profit and the unbreakable bond of blood.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 July 2026
Definition of illustrating
Verb
  • For instance, Airbus alone ended 2025 with a backlog of 8,754 commercial aircraft, highlighting just how far demand has outpaced production capacity.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 5 July 2026
  • Following meetings with management, RBC Capital analyst Gregory Pardy reaffirmed a buy rating on Ovintiv stock with a price target of $70, highlighting that the stock is on RBC's Global Energy Best Ideas List.
    — Tipranks.com Staff, CNBC, 5 July 2026
Definition of highlighting
Verb
  • Another $10 million would go toward educating voters on the state's election process, with half of that going to counties and the rest going to the state.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 30 June 2026
  • The summit will focus on educating the community about regenerative agriculture and other sustainable practices and identifying barriers of entry and solutions to those barriers for farmers.
    — Lizzie Kane, Sacbee.com, 29 June 2026
Definition of educating
Adjective
  • Without ownership, documentation becomes a museum exhibit that may be informative but irrelevant.
    — Raheel Sheikh, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
  • The last category, for France, is especially informative.
    — Dennis Lin, New York Times, 25 June 2026
Definition of informative
Verb
  • German courts are clarifying a gray area in the 2024 cannabis reform regarding the legal status of cannabis cuttings.
    — Dario Sabaghi, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • After Micah’s birth, Lauryn posted a statement on X clarifying that Rohan was not her newborn's father.
    — Julie Tremaine, PEOPLE, 29 June 2026
Definition of clarifying

Browse Nearby Words

illuminati
illuminating
illumination
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Cite this Entry

“Illuminating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illuminating. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on illuminating

Nglish: Translation of illuminating for Spanish Speakers

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