illuminated 1 of 2

illuminated

2 of 2

verb

past tense of illuminate
1
2
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

4
5

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
Guests took their seats at long counters built around illuminated jewelry cases, with jewels and timepieces visible beneath the glass. — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2026 Once it's done, six unique illuminated sculptures will shine. — Megan Shinn, CBS News, 22 Sep. 2026 Viral Tehran sky videos spark UFO speculation as no official source has identified the illuminated object. — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 21 Sep. 2026 Greatest brilliancy marks the sweet spot between the two, when Venus' apparent size and shrinking phase combine to give us the greatest apparent area of illuminated Venus in our sky. — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 18 Sep. 2026 Drivers can trigger the car's full performance via a dedicated illuminated red GTI button on the steering wheel. — New Atlas, 17 Sep. 2026 In the Peloponnese town of Leonidio, the midnight Resurrection service is the moment to be there, as illuminated paper balloons rise from parishes across town. — Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Sep. 2026 The occasion is SkyAd, a new venture from Heads in the Sky co-founder Kevin Prince that turns formations of illuminated drones into temporary billboards. — Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 11 Sep. 2026 The show then transitioned from the runway space into the show's official anniversary celebration, where the festivities continued through the night on the pink-illuminated dance floor equipped with a giant disco ball and resident DJs. — Morgan Evans, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026
Verb
When illuminated with green laser light, the NV center emits red light. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2026 The store’s signature illuminated pink sign became the biggest sticking point. — Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2026 Ornate crystal fixtures illuminated the grand ballroom as dancers in Prohibition-era attire twirled to the music. — Michelle Polizzi, Southern Living, 20 Sep. 2026 The landmark was illuminated in green, white and red to celebrate Mexico’s Independence Day and honor the country’s culture, identity and traditions. — Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 19 Sep. 2026 They were illuminated as dull streaks of red, as the group’s flashlights were covered with red tape to reduce the light. — Sean MacAday, Sacbee.com, 19 Sep. 2026 Carlson said its lights can be illuminated so students can simulate the removal of a patient from the vehicle and begin to handle the situation. — Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026 Eastey adds that the message of their brand is illuminated every time a parent puts their Dad Gang hat on. — Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2026 Tonight’s waxing crescent moon is roughly 30 percent illuminated, so moonlight shouldn’t interfere much with aurora sightings. — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 16 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illuminated
Adjective
  • The backdrop is brightly illumined screens that hurt your eyes.
    — Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 5 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • As the music intensifies, so does the questioning, as Fielder continues to push Holmes and Evans about what’s real and what’s being hidden from him as moodily lighted close-up shots flash.
    — Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Campers were beginning to gather; here or there a phone lit a face out of the night like a pilgrim in a tenebrist tableau.
    — J. B. MacKinnon, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The book features illustrations from Demelsa Haughton, who also illustrated Tori and the Muses and is known for her retelling of six Hans Christian Anderson fairy tales, among her many other works.
    — Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Re-creating the Book Cover for Fans The scene illustrated on the cover of Hazelwood’s novel—Olive and Adam’s first kiss—is the catalyst for everything that happens in the story and was shot multiple times from different angles.
    — Jesa Marie Calaor, Allure, 23 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Smith highlighted that the center’s mandate includes educating warfighters, equipping the Fleet with systems that can survive operational environments, and developing combined tactics for their use.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2026
  • This technique is often highlighted in hair-transplant discussions, but it should never be viewed as the entire treatment.
    — Ascend Agency, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The song has inspired a fan edit of Floyd-Liz clips set to Swift’s new song.
    — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2026
  • That didn’t stop Bateman from starring in a rom-com inspired by his wife’s iconic Star Wars character.
    — Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 25 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The brewery offers a varied selection of styles brewed in-house from IPAs to sours to dark brews to light sippers.
    — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2026
  • With airlines weighing carry-ons more and more now, too, even light packers may want to grab one to avoid being surprised with unexpected baggage fees.
    — Julie Rousseau, Travel + Leisure, 26 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Penix explained there was a difference between getting the OK from doctors and feeling comfortable enough to play.
    — Michael Cunningham, AJC.com, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Aquilina also explained that Luminate data pointed to binge releases tending to see big spikes in viewership but steep drops, while weekly releases maintain consistent engagement.
    — Andrew Wallenstein, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • At the Miami-Dade Democratic Party’s Blue Gala featuring statewide candidates on the November ballot, speakers addressed the shifting dynamics and emphasized that Democrats can solve the state’s most pressing issues.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 20 Sep. 2026
  • That expansion has emphasized a longstanding divide over how the state should spend education dollars.
    — Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 19 Sep. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Illuminated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illuminated. Accessed 27 Sep. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!