as in illumined
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 lit
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
Jacqueline Dole, Southern Living, 23 June 2026
Seconds, that the union and the contractor’s association be allowed to place a smaller illuminated sign near the base of the Western Auto sign noting that the organizations had done the work.
—Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 17 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
Little to no moonlight can also help visibility, and Saturday night’s waning crescent will bring just that with the moon only being 3% illuminated.
—Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
Taking place at Del Mar Fairgrounds, this show will blend advanced drone choreography with the unforgettable music and iconic moments from the Harry Potter film series, featuring 1,200 illuminated drones soaring across the night sky.
—Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 June 2026
Best Things to Do The Grandin Theatre Showing new and classic movies, The Grandin Theatre anchors the historic Grandin Village district with its dazzling art deco design and an illuminated marquee that transports visitors to the golden age of cinema.
—Julekha Dash, Travel + Leisure, 6 June 2026
Swiss menu options are also available in the lobby lounge, and a weekly DJ enlivens the mood at Onyx Bar (so-named for the illuminated surface that makes up the bar itself).
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
The recall report states that warning signs may include an illuminated SRS warning light and a passenger airbag indicator that remains off.
—Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 29 May 2026
Charlotte Observer, 16 June 2026
It should be displayed only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open, but can be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated at night, the flag code said.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 14 June 2026
Both groups then illuminated the crystals with highly specialized continuous-wave vacuum ultraviolet lasers tuned near the thorium nuclear transition.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 13 June 2026
Open to foot traffic on Orange Avenue and Esther Street, most elements, many illuminated, can be visited 24 hours a day.
—R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
In less than a minute, her phone synced to the device and illuminated a line chart that would measure her blood sugar for 14 days.
—Noelle Harff, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026
Approved by George Washington and first illuminated in 1791, the lighthouse predates Maine’s statehood and remains an active aid to navigation on the rocky coast of Maine.
—Usa Today Network, USA Today, 10 June 2026
The coarser shades of red and orange, illuminated by the setting sun on the western portals, color the side of the basilica that depicts Christ’s Passion.
—Joseph Wilson, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
And there was a true sense of spectacle as lights illuminated different parts of Sagrada Família at one point during the ceremony and drones formed an image of Gaudí in the sky beside it.
—Claudio Lavanga, NBC news, 10 June 2026
Adjective
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
Seconds, that the union and the contractor’s association be allowed to place a smaller illuminated sign near the base of the Western Auto sign noting that the organizations had done the work.
—Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 17 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
Little to no moonlight can also help visibility, and Saturday night’s waning crescent will bring just that with the moon only being 3% illuminated.
—Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
Taking place at Del Mar Fairgrounds, this show will blend advanced drone choreography with the unforgettable music and iconic moments from the Harry Potter film series, featuring 1,200 illuminated drones soaring across the night sky.
—Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 June 2026
Best Things to Do The Grandin Theatre Showing new and classic movies, The Grandin Theatre anchors the historic Grandin Village district with its dazzling art deco design and an illuminated marquee that transports visitors to the golden age of cinema.
—Julekha Dash, Travel + Leisure, 6 June 2026
Swiss menu options are also available in the lobby lounge, and a weekly DJ enlivens the mood at Onyx Bar (so-named for the illuminated surface that makes up the bar itself).
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
The recall report states that warning signs may include an illuminated SRS warning light and a passenger airbag indicator that remains off.
—Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 29 May 2026
Verb
The unveiling will take place during Cramerton’s community-wide celebration, where the bridge over the South Fork River will be illuminated to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary — creating a vibrant focal point in the heart of the town.
—Charlotte Observer, 16 June 2026
It should be displayed only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open, but can be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated at night, the flag code said.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 14 June 2026
Both groups then illuminated the crystals with highly specialized continuous-wave vacuum ultraviolet lasers tuned near the thorium nuclear transition.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 13 June 2026
Open to foot traffic on Orange Avenue and Esther Street, most elements, many illuminated, can be visited 24 hours a day.
—R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
In less than a minute, her phone synced to the device and illuminated a line chart that would measure her blood sugar for 14 days.
—Noelle Harff, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026
Approved by George Washington and first illuminated in 1791, the lighthouse predates Maine’s statehood and remains an active aid to navigation on the rocky coast of Maine.
—Usa Today Network, USA Today, 10 June 2026
The coarser shades of red and orange, illuminated by the setting sun on the western portals, color the side of the basilica that depicts Christ’s Passion.
—Joseph Wilson, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
And there was a true sense of spectacle as lights illuminated different parts of Sagrada Família at one point during the ceremony and drones formed an image of Gaudí in the sky beside it.
—Claudio Lavanga, NBC news, 10 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illuminated
Adjective
-
For example, swap heavy coats and boots for lighter layers and store the off-season items elsewhere.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
19 June 2026
-
From the cockpit through the cabin, the Citation CJ4 Gen3 provides much more than a simple update to one of Cessna’s most storied aircraft in the light-jet category.—
Michael Verdon,
Robb Report,
18 June 2026
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
Verb
-
The Allman Brothers Band’s makeup illustrated the group’s sense of inclusivity.—
Steve Bloom,
Rolling Stone,
16 June 2026
-
The film has been inspired by Japan’s famous classical illustrated scrolls.—
Liz Shackleton,
Deadline,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
Jones portrayed Jackson as a newcomer attempting to buy the governor’s office and highlighted his past donations to Trump critics.—
Greg Bluestein,
AJC.com,
17 June 2026
-
Ralston highlighted research indicating that more than 40% of breeding permit fish, a key recreational fishery in the state, were being lost to sharks during the catch-and-release process.—
Bri Buckley,
CBS News,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
But, expecting parents who are soccer fans can draw inspiration from the beautiful game with a gorgeous baby name inspired by the sport’s past and present stars.—
Beth Ann Mayer,
Parents,
20 June 2026
-
And developers plan to call the green square in the heart of the area, inspired by the floor plan of the bathhouse complex, Thermenplein.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
20 June 2026
Adjective
-
Tree was recognizable for his bright fashion, mullet haircut with prominent bangs, thin mustache and encouraging outlook.—
Dennis Romero,
NBC news,
22 June 2026
-
For starters, bright colors inject visibility – not merely for players looking to find each other amid the chaos of a World Cup match, but also for brands looking to draw the gazes of millions of onlooking fans towards their logo.—
Jack Bantock,
CNN Money,
22 June 2026
Verb
-
It was lit in an evening ceremony in recent weeks.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
20 June 2026
-
Chopper 4 footage showed large flames burning through trees near the turnpike as crews lit backfires—a tactic used to extinguish a wildfire by burning fuel ahead of the approaching fire line.—
Steven Yablonski,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
Madonna explained that Netflix later connected with her to make a series based on her life and career, but the matter was complicated due to the star not being able to use the script from the Universal project.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
22 June 2026
-
Part of that difference can be explained by the concerns around capital expenditures.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
22 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illuminated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illuminated. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
