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
The energy was later brought back up, getting fans back on their feet, when Karol G and her dancers started making their way to the illuminated stone pool on the B-stage. Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 16 Aug. 2026 Holy Land’s brightly illuminated cross atop Pine Hill in Waterbury has been a landmark to I-84 travelers all along. Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 16 Aug. 2026 Six illuminated lotus flowers will grace the water of the Paddleboat Quarry, inviting Naperville Riverwalk visitors to have a meditative experience, according to ArtForum Treasurer Erin Franczyk. Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026 Near the intersection of 11th Street and Washington Avenue, Hoffmann stopped and stared at the illuminated building across the street — the Miami Beach Police Department. Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 14 Aug. 2026 While a thin sliver will remain illuminated by direct sunlight, most of the lunar surface will appear dramatically darkened with a subtle reddish-orange glow — reminiscent of a total lunar eclipse seen across North America on March 3. Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026 The eatery features Midcentury Modern touches with curved cherry wood walls and paneled ceilings, as well as illuminated white onyx Corian surfaces. Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026 Because the moon’s illuminated side is currently facing the sun, with its night side facing Earth, bright moonlight won’t interfere with one of the most anticipated skywatching events of the summer. Denise Chow, NBC news, 11 Aug. 2026 If that isn't enough to satisfy, Acura also has plenty of additional packages and accessories that drivers can add to their ADX A-Spec Advance including an illuminated front emblem ($425) and a logo pattern projector ($190). Charles Singh, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026
Verb
It is clad in tiles of walnut wood, illuminated from within; a contemporary take on Portugal’s azulejos. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Aug. 2026 That means only a thin sliver of the lunar surface will remain directly illuminated by the sun, while the rest of the moon will take on a deep reddish-orange hue. Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Keep in mind that tonight’s waxing gibbous moon will be 60 percent illuminated, which could make spotting fainter auroras tricky. Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 20 Aug. 2026 Schönherr’s ideas, as best one can understand them, began with a glimpse of water lilies illuminated by the sun. Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026 In Islamabad, crowds gathered along major roads as fireworks illuminated the night sky. ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026 There’s been some talk about replacing the palm trees with an artistic representation, something like towering metal trees that could be illuminated at night. Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026 At night the entire thing is illuminated with over 6,000 programmable white LEDs. New Atlas, 11 Aug. 2026 Our conversation illuminated why smart leaders so routinely miss the mark on building trust and how fixing our social miscalculations can radically reshape workplace culture. Julie Kratz, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 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
  • Pause until the fire is lit, and the kettle in the kitchen has long since clicked off.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026
  • In return, the loft homeowners’ association has committed to fund ongoing maintenance and to keep the sign lit for 10 years.
    Rashad Alexander August 17, Kansas City Star, 17 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The congressman’s hour-and-a-half drive to Sedalia illustrated the distance of the sweeping 5th Congressional District, which stretches east from Troost Avenue to rural mid-Missouri.
    Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Again, the psychiatrist said Clancy’s reaction illustrated an understanding her actions were wrong.
    Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Target's results also highlighted pressure on discretionary spending, though the company's turnaround under CEO Michael Fiddelke still showed considerable progress in the quarter.
    Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 22 Aug. 2026
  • The release also introduces enhanced performance tracking, highlighted by Driving Range analytics, automatic round tracking, and a new multiplayer mode in Skill Strike, plus the addition of Victory Ranch Golf Club to Full Swing’s course library.
    Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • My ‘Harmony’ massage is inspired by Lomi Lomi—a traditional Hawaiian healing technique known for its continuous, flowing strokes.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Netflix has created an Academy Award-winning global phenomenon with KPop Demon Hunters that has inspired fans around the world with its powerful music, storytelling, and characters.
    Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Kodali said drones could prove more useful for certain light-weight deliveries that are needed urgently like prescription medications.
    ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The battery is smaller, lighter and cleverer than most rivals.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 19 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • But in a conversation with The Athletic, Bass explained that missing the entire 2025 season and undergoing sports hernia surgery taught him to value the entire NFL kicking experience, even the misses that come with such a high-pressure job.
    Tim Graham, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
  • However, Lai explained that the launcher could, in theory, deliver explosive payloads designed to detonate near a target.
    Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 21 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Bleeding ranchers While expensive cattle may have given some American cattle producers breathing room, ranchers who spoke with CNN emphasized that high prices haven’t ensured easy wealth.
    Max Saltman, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Naturally, Commissioner Hester Peirce has emphasized that tokenized securities remain securities because blockchain doesn't transform the nature of the underlying asset.
    Federico Sendra, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Illuminated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illuminated. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on illuminated

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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