ILLUMINE Synonyms: 73 Similar and Opposite Words

illumine

verb

i-ˈlü-mən

Definition of illumine

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for illumine

Verb

Like a glass of brut champagne illuminated by a flash of lightning on a November night!

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2026
Photographed by Mert Alas, the campaign captures Shayk in the warmth of golden hour, illuminated by reflective light.

— Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of illuminate

Verb

Faculty are chosen based on their track record of educating Black students.

— Elissa Nadworny, NPR, 23 Oct. 2026
He was educated at Middlebury College, and lived in New York City for 15 years, before settling back on the farm with his wife, Olga, and their children, Fiona and Abraham.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of educate

Verb

The sweat beads from the worried Republicans in Arkansas this election cycle are Democrat-inspired.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Oct. 2026
Amenities and experiences Dublin’s literary heritage, inspired by the likes of Oscar Wilde, seeps through the walls of The Wilder Townhouse and is reflected in thoughtful details throughout the entire experience.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of inspire

Verb

His hometown team calling his name on the opening night of the NFL Draft a few months later brightened it.

— Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2026
The restaurant’s name is a nod to former first lady Lady Bird Johnson, whose legacy includes planting wildflowers along Texas highways to brighten the drive.

— Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of brighten

Browse Nearby Words

illuminative

illumine

illumined

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Style

“Illumine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illumine. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of illumine

verb

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