enlightened
adjective
en·light·ened
in-ˈlī-tᵊnd 
en-
1
: freed from ignorance and misinformation
an enlightened people
an enlightened time
2
: based on full comprehension of the problems involved
issued an enlightened ruling
Examples of enlightened in a Sentence
an enlightened approach to prison reform
Recent Examples on the Web
To cultivate an enlightened society, higher education needs to get serious about upholding liberal values.
—
Carla Norrlof, Foreign Affairs, 12 Feb. 2019
As the scholar John Ikenberry has noted, the United States’ particular brand of hegemony allowed others to benefit as well, contributing to a relatively enlightened hierarchy that was positive-sum, even if the gains were unequally distributed in Washington’s favor.
—Mira Rapp-Hooper, Foreign Affairs, 3 Oct. 2019
But Val is an enlightened practitioner of Eastern spirituality who used to be in shipping in Vladivostok.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 2 Mar. 2025
Even Lochlan and Piper, who think of themselves as more enlightened than their loutish brother and materialistic parents, have a lot of Victoria in them.
—Noel Murray, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for enlightened
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Carla Norrlof, Foreign Affairs, 12 Feb. 2019
As the scholar John Ikenberry has noted, the United States’ particular brand of hegemony allowed others to benefit as well, contributing to a relatively enlightened hierarchy that was positive-sum, even if the gains were unequally distributed in Washington’s favor.
—Mira Rapp-Hooper, Foreign Affairs, 3 Oct. 2019
But Val is an enlightened practitioner of Eastern spirituality who used to be in shipping in Vladivostok.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 2 Mar. 2025
Even Lochlan and Piper, who think of themselves as more enlightened than their loutish brother and materialistic parents, have a lot of Victoria in them.
—Noel Murray, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for enlightened
Cite this Entry
“Enlightened.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enlightened. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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