1
as in explanation
a statement that makes something clear
the candidate's so-called illuminations of his views on a number of controversial issues left many voters in the dark
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in brightness
the quality or state of having or giving off light
in that clime the illumination of the full moon on a clear night is so bright that you can practically read by it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in glow
the steady giving off of the form of radiation that makes vision possible
a steady illumination from the flashlight was all I had while changing the tire
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of illumination
What is March's full moon called? March's full moon, also known as the worm moon, will take place on Friday, March 14 and will reach peak illumination by 1:55 a.m. local time, according to the Farmer's Almanac.
—
Diana Leyva, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
Worm Moon: March 14 March’s full moon will reach peak illumination at 1:55 a.m. on March 14, coinciding with a spectacular celestial event — a total lunar eclipse.
—Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
This technology not only provides improved illumination but gives the front end a high-tech, jewel-like appearance.
—Karl Brauer, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Instead of going with a big, fancy cockpit of OLED or LED graphics and illumination, Kamingo keeps it simple with a featherlight controller that features a knurled mode dial and a small color display for essentials like speed, distance and battery life.
—New Atlas, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for illumination
Diana Leyva, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
Worm Moon: March 14 March’s full moon will reach peak illumination at 1:55 a.m. on March 14, coinciding with a spectacular celestial event — a total lunar eclipse.
—Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
This technology not only provides improved illumination but gives the front end a high-tech, jewel-like appearance.
—Karl Brauer, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Instead of going with a big, fancy cockpit of OLED or LED graphics and illumination, Kamingo keeps it simple with a featherlight controller that features a knurled mode dial and a small color display for essentials like speed, distance and battery life.
—New Atlas, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for illumination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illumination
Noun
-
But this conventional view overlooks a more important explanation.—
Robert B. Reich,
Hartford Courant,
15 July 2025
-
Thankfully, there was an entirely logical explanation, which Christain was only too happy to provide.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 July 2025
Noun
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Still, you'll be rewarded with top-notch picture processing matched with vibrant brightness and colors, as well as Samsung's pedestal-style floating-screen design and plenty of gaming features.—
Ryan Waniata,
Wired News,
11 July 2025
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Solar geoengineering activities involve cooling the Earth by reflecting sunlight into space through the dispersal of small particles into the upper atmosphere or by increasing the size and brightness of clouds over the ocean, among other ideas.—
Pilar Melendez,
NBC news,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
Set in San Francisco in the early 1990s, this coming-of-age novel shines with a heady, nostalgic glow while never ignoring reality.—
Connie Ogle,
Boston Herald,
10 July 2025
-
Giambattista Valli—fresh off receiving the title of Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters from the French government—basked in the glow of both the honor and an exceptional runway show.—
Ian Malone,
Vogue,
10 July 2025
Noun
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Paul John Edited and Bold highlight different levels of peat, providing Indian interpretations of smoky and peaty malt styles.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
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The French fashion house is celebrating the anniversary with a book, due to be published by Rizzoli in October, showcasing 99 artists’ interpretations of its signature Lady Dior bag.—
Joelle Diderich,
Footwear News,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
Pinnacle of splendor On Sunday morning, April 27, Venus comes up in total darkness while shining at its greatest brilliancy (magnitude –4.7).—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
4 Apr. 2025
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So, astronomers have come up with a compromise regarding the geometry of the sun's illumination angle on Venus' disk versus its distance from Earth to determine the time of Venus' greatest brilliancy.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Our view of the Summer Triangle will become all the more spectacular on the nights surrounding the new moon phase on July 24, at which time the bright ribbon of light from the Milky Way may be visible from dark sky areas, tumbling directly through the cosmic triangle.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
12 July 2025
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The tool’s powerful suction leaves your floors without a trace of dust thanks to a laser light that highlights tiny specks, and its 60-minute run time allows for extensive cleaning.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
People.com,
12 July 2025
Noun
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The Grok logo is being displayed on a smartphone with Xai visible in the background in this photo illustration on April 1, 2024.—
Jonathan Vanian,
CNBC,
8 July 2025
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Throughout the book, the authors, Ben Clanton, Corey R. Tabor and Andy Chou Musser, were able to display their own voices and illustration styles by each taking on one phase.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
8 July 2025
Noun
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Rookie Christian Moore has only played in 18 games, but has shown some flashes of brilliance, including a game-tying and then a game-winning home run against the Red Sox late last month.—
Dan Freedman,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
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With five uncapped players making their international debuts, France showed flashes of brilliance, particularly in broken play and at the breakdown.—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illumination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illumination. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.
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