illuminated 1 of 2

adjective

as in illumined
filled with much light an intensely illuminated room is usually needed for producing live television shows

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illuminated

2 of 2

verb

past tense of illuminate
1
as in lit
to supply with light a floor lamp illuminates a living room rather nicely

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2
as in illustrated
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 pictorialized
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 highlighted
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 inspired
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 illuminated
Adjective
Meanwhile, travelers visiting in December can experience Jungle Lights, the garden’s annual holiday display, which transforms the grounds into a festive, illuminated landscape. — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 3 July 2026 The massive illuminated sign, which hung outside New York City's Ed Sullivan Theater throughout Colbert's nearly 11-year run as host, was purchased at auction earlier this year and now sits on the rooftop of WeHo Bistro. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 30 June 2026 The front end features a more upright stance dominated by the illuminated BMW Iconic Glow kidney grille, while new 'double-X' daytime running lights give the SUV a distinctive lighting signature. — Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 Elsewhere, the bathrooms feature heated floors, illuminated mirrors, floating vanities, and floor-to-ceiling tile. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 29 June 2026 Ironically, my reaction to a previous illuminated tire light may have lulled me into complacency when that light returned months later. — Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 28 June 2026 The researchers also conducted tests using illuminated letters, similar to those used in eye exams. — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 27 June 2026 When the sun goes down, stake out a spot at any Magic Kingdom-area resort beach for the Electrical Water Pageant, a procession of illuminated sea creatures that floats across the lagoon every night. — Jacqueline Dole, Southern Living, 23 June 2026 Luna will be only about 11% illuminated and roughly 38 degrees from the sun, per Sky & Telescope, so patience is key. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 17 June 2026
Verb
The rocket and its expanding exhaust plumes are being illuminated by the sun, which may produce lingering noctilucent clouds for some viewers. — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 July 2026 Unusually, the male blue ghost firefly stays illuminated for around a minute, rather than flashing for short periods or in rapid succession like many firefly species. — Eva Flowe july 7, Charlotte Observer, 7 July 2026 In April 1926, the Point Vicente Lighthouse, the clifftop beacon of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, was illuminated for the first time. — Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026 Following his roughly 30-minute speech, a massive fireworks display — billed by the White House as the largest in the United States' history — illuminated the sky. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 6 July 2026 According to Thales, the SLL’s native 360-degree coverage allows operators to keep targets illuminated without repeatedly repositioning the helicopter, potentially reducing rescue times in complex environments. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 6 July 2026 This year's event marked the 50th anniversary of Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks, which illuminated New York City's skyline with the nation's largest Independence Day celebration. — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 5 July 2026 Images of Union Station illuminated in celebration have reached millions of people around the world through social media and national and international news coverage. — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026 Or 24 hours with proper lighting — The flag can fly around the clock if it is properly illuminated at night. — Sacbee.com, 3 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illuminated
  1. light
  2. illumined
  3. illustrated
  4. highlighted
  5. inspired
  6. bright
  7. lit
  8. explained
Adjective
  • The bottom offers comfortable tummy control, and the sheer butterfly sleeves offer light, breathable sun protection across my shoulders.
    — Laurie Lyons-Makaimoku, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2026
  • Since the homemade icing on the cake is so sweet, and the real star of the show, my mom always opts for a lighter chocolate cake mix, like milk chocolate, instead of dark chocolate or fudge.
    — Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 8 July 2026
Definition of light
Verb
  • 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, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
Definition of illumined
Verb
  • There are few players outside the biggest clubs better at limiting the opposition’s chances, illustrated in The Athletic’s season-level player dashboard below.
    — Carl Anka, New York Times, 9 July 2026
  • That fact was starkly illustrated by the war in Iran, which saw Tehran effectively close the Strait of Hormuz to commercial traffic and Washington respond with a blockade of Iranian ports.
    — John Calabrese, The Conversation, 6 July 2026
Definition of illustrated
Verb
  • Five specific CEFs are highlighted for their attractive yields and significant discounts.
    — Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
  • Both Goldman Sachs and Bank of America highlighted that investors had not seriously considered the possibility of the trial failing, given the favorable precedent from Alnylam's rival drug Amvuttra that works similarly.
    — Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 11 July 2026
Definition of highlighted
Verb
  • But watching Simone Biles, Suni Lee, Jade Carey and Jordan Chiles win team gold at the Paris Olympics inspired Ohashi.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
  • Although the plot of the film is fictional, the character of Leatherface was inspired by the American grave robber and serial killer Ed Gein.
    — Jordana Rosenfeld, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 July 2026
Definition of inspired
Adjective
  • The White Sox are winning, and the future is suddenly bright.
    — Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 12 July 2026
  • The bright and airy Hotel San Luis Obispo (Hotel SLO,) which calls itself a modern urban resort, boasts The Ox and Anchor restaurant which has earned a Michelin Key.
    — Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
Definition of bright
Verb
  • The suspect, who police only identified as a 36-year-old man, then allegedly traveled a mile north to Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses and allegedly lit and threw another Molotov cocktail at the house of worship, according to investigators.
    — Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 9 July 2026
  • Video footage of the incident shows a group of passengers who were shocked as the driverless car seemingly approaches lit fireworks in the middle of a street as the explosives are about to launch.
    — Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 7 July 2026
Definition of lit
Verb
  • Powar explained that these systems are increasingly capable of working independently for extended periods, testing hypotheses, solving problems, and adapting their approach without constant human input.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026
  • George Tzikas, a Sacramento County Regional Parks ranger, explained that the river’s currents can change, and that its underwater topography is often a contributing factor in many rescues.
    — Reeti Malhotra July 10, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of explained

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Cite this Entry

“Illuminated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illuminated. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of illuminated for Spanish Speakers

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