as in lighted
filled with much light
an intensely illuminated room is usually needed for producing live television shows
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in illumined
to supply with light
a floor lamp illuminates a living room rather nicely
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in illustrated
to make plain or understandable
the museum's exhibit on the refraction of light really illuminated the subject for us
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in inspired
to provide (someone) with moral or spiritual understanding
how man is illuminated by a higher spirit
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 illuminated
Southern California Weather Report, Oc Register, 10 Apr. 2025
This significant discovery has illuminated the Sahara Desert in our quest to find our human origins.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 7 Apr. 2025
The officer turns around and the vehicle is illuminated by headlights.
—Katie Moore, Kansas City Star, 7 Apr. 2025
Here’s where things start to get a bit more opaque, but this is also where the real wisdom of this framework is illuminated.
—Tim Maurer, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
Old desks and chairs sit stacked in a vast room illuminated by fluorescent lighting.
—Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 21 Mar. 2025
Their backside illuminated sensors (often referred to as BI sensors) allow more light to hit the pixel area, improving sensitivity and reducing noise, which is crucial for capturing faint celestial objects.
—Jacob Little, Space.com, 20 Mar. 2025
Residential properties stand illuminated at night on hillsides in Gangtok, Sikkim, India.
—Radhika Kak, Independent Researcher At Harvard Business School and Varad Pande, Partner At Bcg, CNBC, 20 Mar. 2025
Through inverted orientation, these lights are directed skyward, away from the object to be illuminated.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
Once stationary, deactivate all lights except the hazard flashers, engage the emergency brake, and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights are not illuminated, reducing the risk of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.
—Southern California Weather Report, Oc Register, 10 Apr. 2025
This significant discovery has illuminated the Sahara Desert in our quest to find our human origins.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 7 Apr. 2025
The officer turns around and the vehicle is illuminated by headlights.
—Katie Moore, Kansas City Star, 7 Apr. 2025
Here’s where things start to get a bit more opaque, but this is also where the real wisdom of this framework is illuminated.
—Tim Maurer, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
Old desks and chairs sit stacked in a vast room illuminated by fluorescent lighting.
—Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 21 Mar. 2025
Their backside illuminated sensors (often referred to as BI sensors) allow more light to hit the pixel area, improving sensitivity and reducing noise, which is crucial for capturing faint celestial objects.
—Jacob Little, Space.com, 20 Mar. 2025
Residential properties stand illuminated at night on hillsides in Gangtok, Sikkim, India.
—Radhika Kak, Independent Researcher At Harvard Business School and Varad Pande, Partner At Bcg, CNBC, 20 Mar. 2025
Through inverted orientation, these lights are directed skyward, away from the object to be illuminated.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 20 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illuminated
Verb
-
That trend has continued into the 2020s, but was perhaps most infamously illustrated in a 2018 story by writer Jesse Singal in The Atlantic, which even outed and misgendered its cover model.—
Samantha Riedel,
Them.,
27 Mar. 2025
-
The stamp was illustrated by Dale Stephanos and designed by art director Greg Braden.—
Raven Brunner,
People.com,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Take a dive into the deep end, and keep scrolling to shop more one-piece bathing suits inspired by Kate Hudson now.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
People.com,
13 Apr. 2025
-
What inspired you to start the Latinx Education Collaborative?—
J.M. Banks,
Kansas City Star,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Another teacher explained to me that I can be paid 50% of my husband’s Social Security benefit instead.—
Liz Weston,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Apr. 2025
-
The singer then explained the sentimental reasoning behind the pub's name, Lancaster Lock.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
People.com,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The researchers emphasized that this system must be incredibly efficient, as squid can use the energy to alter their entire body’s appearance underwater where only low levels of light can penetrate.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Mar. 2025
-
Pelosi emphasized that appropriations leaders Rosa DeLauro and Patty Murray had presented a better alternative — a four-week extension to allow for continued negotiations.—
Amanda Castro,
Newsweek,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Having traveled to 75 countries, bought real estate in 24, established businesses in 7, and educated her children in 4, Kathleen is the go-to expert on expat life.—
Kathleen Peddicord,
Forbes,
14 Mar. 2025
-
To those who are poorly educated, this paragraph has been utterly meaningless.—
Eli Amdur,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Seattle’s pursuit of veteran guard Will Fries in free agency demonstrated a willingness to be aggressive to address the interior of the line, and this would fit that approach.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
The Athletic,
25 Mar. 2025
-
Back in 2018, researchers demonstrated that dogs can detect malaria by sniffing socks.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
There isn’t one specific, universal food that people should avoid to get rid of chronic pain, Strath stressed.—
Brian Mastroianni,
Health,
3 Jan. 2025
-
Yet, the ultimate surprise was feeling stressed by policy demands.—
AllBusiness,
Forbes,
2 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Smaller rooms tend to work better in the darker hues, while larger airy rooms work better in lighter colors.—
Eleni N. Gage,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 May 2025
-
Spears radiated beauty in a white sundress with light brown heels.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
People.com,
14 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illuminated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illuminated. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share