illuminated 1 of 2

illuminated

2 of 2

verb

past tense of illuminate
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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

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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
Slanted vertical light animations frame an illuminated lightning bolt emblem. — New Atlas, 21 Oct. 2026 Near the brightly illuminated planet Adrian, background stars were therefore largely absent. — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 18 Oct. 2026 Alkhatib commissioned a wooden bookcase with illuminated glass shelves for his office to display his collection, which grew to about 150 objects representing 66 countries. — Dina Cheney, Washington Post, 17 Oct. 2026 Earlier this month, Chanel’s Spring 2027 presentation had models walking the runway beneath 95 wood-and paper illuminated bird sculptures, a vision created by scenographer Richard Peduzzi and artistic director Matthieu Blazy. — Eleni N. Gage, Architectural Digest, 16 Oct. 2026 The new building measures about 50% larger than the two old terminals combined, with higher ceilings and a pair of illuminated steel sculptures by Cliff Garten flanking the main entrance. — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026 After sunset, the performances will continue with illuminated parachute displays, aerobatics and additional aircraft. — Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2026 Along with its traditional fall festival, Fun Farm also has a Jack in the Night event, where walkers can explore an illuminated pumpkin trail in the evening hours. — Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2026 Some beauty tools signal their operation through illuminated controls, screens or vibration. — Advertorial, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026
Verb
Winding paths, illuminated murals and art installations add to the landscaping. — Luisa Yanez, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2026 The curved bar, constructed from cast-glass beams covered in silver leaf, takes on an intergalactic glow when illuminated at night. — Khushbu Shah, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Oct. 2026 And when the track finally resumed, the lyrics were nearly drowned out by the eruption of cheers as his silhouette was illuminated by golden lights. — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 19 Oct. 2026 This story of a West Virginia family with a very unusual tradition has notes of Edward Gorey and Rebecca, but Chronister creates a world all her own, its mossy darkness illuminated by flashes of humor. — Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026 Dinner was served family-style at two long tables illuminated by hundreds of candles. — Alexandra MacOn, Vogue, 13 Oct. 2026 The Chicago Public Schools Board of Education emblem is illuminated during a board meeting at CPS headquarters July 30, 2026. — Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026 Controlling and monitoring individual cells has also illuminated neurological diseases, such as Parkinson's and epilepsy. — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 5 Oct. 2026 Both games were illuminated by spectacular goals from Michael Olise — a solo run in Brussels on Monday, a wonderful free kick in Saint-Denis — but Jacquet has arguably been the biggest positive across Zidane’s first three games in charge. — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 3 Oct. 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
  • Try not to squeal like a 5-year-old when the foot-tall sparkler speared into the sundae is lit.
    — Lisa Shames, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The first practical transformer was switched on about 15 miles down the road, in 1886, when William Stanley lit stores and offices lining Great Barrington’s Main Street.
    — Alex Pasternack, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The wondrous story was adapted by frequent Laika collaborator Chris Butler from the epic 2011 novel written by Colin Meloy (frontman for indie rock band the Decemberists, whose original music is featured here) and illustrated by Carson Ellis.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The blockbuster ambitions are best illustrated by the production’s recruitment of Rambaldi.
    — J. Kim Murphy, IndieWire, 21 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Miller has highlighted Poindexter's past arrests for drug possession and assault in a September campaign ad.
    — Lara Korte The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Now those votes are being highlighted in campaign ads across the country, according to an Associated Press analysis of data from AdImpact, which charts media spending.
    — Kevin Freking, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Scientists have spent decades trying to build artificial molecular machines inspired by the motors that power movement inside living cells.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
  • How Richard Branson inspired Tan-Gillespie’s career ethos As Tan-Gillespie’s career developed, so did her aspirations.
    — Preston Fore, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • In modern nuclear weapons, conventional explosives set off a fission reaction—the splitting of big atoms—whose intensity then ignites a fusion reaction that combines light atoms.
    — Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Birkin asked her seatmate why the company didn’t yet make a handbag that was bigger than the Kelly, but smaller and lighter than the Hermès’s Haut à Courroies, which her ex Serge Gainsbourg had carried for years.
    — Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 19 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Smith also explained what would happen if a legal challenge ultimately failed, including continuity arrangements with European partners and backup copies of Microsoft’s code held in Switzerland.
    — Margot Edelman, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Longini explained that climate change is increasing mosquito populations and lengthening their active seasons, contributing to dengue’s spread globally.
    — Alex DeLuca, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Amy Guerrero, a Filipino American activist and teacher in Norwalk who previously taught in Bridgeport, emphasized the importance of solidarity across racial and cultural groups.
    — Reginald David, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Unlike past rallies, Edly-Allen said Indivisible Northeast Lake County emphasized the nonpartisan flavor of Saturday’s event.
    — Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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