enlightened 1 of 2

Definition of enlightenednext

enlightened

2 of 2

verb

past tense of enlighten

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 enlightened
Adjective
Often times, individuals are searching for an enlightened approach to their everyday existence, and the focus can be on relaxation, wellness, adventure, stress management or even romance. — Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026 Through enlightened leadership, and my own trial and error, Mammoth Lakes managed to create a sense of stewardship for the town’s wild kingdom. — Steve Searles, Mercury News, 8 July 2026
Verb
So, please, consider this column a mere public service announcement for those of you living in or are soon to visit the less-than-enlightened corners of the country where that’s not the case. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 26 May 2026 Ambiguity clouds the conversation and risks leaving your protégé more confused than enlightened. — Chip Bell, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for enlightened
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enlightened
Adjective
  • Of course Charles would be suspicious of this pretty, educated girl who shows up out of nowhere, refuses to share what brought her here, and has clearly ensnared Adam.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Right now, many jobs are booming due to AI, while preliminary studies on the impact of AI on jobs and wages remain educated guess work, as their own authors caution.
    — Eric Rosenbaum, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Mandel’s work also informed a 2012 New York Times Magazine column on how the art market thrives on inequality, which argued that fine art belongs less to the broader global economy than to the peculiar economy of the very rich.
    — Molly A. Wallace, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Regular two-way communication, where staff are heard, not just informed, combined with genuine empathy for the disruption, gives people something to hold onto.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Eight finalists will compete in a series of challenges inspired by the skills required to make each and every order.
    — Mya Copeland, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Technology’s impact on the shrinking media landscape inspired The Devil Wears Prada 2, which reunited Tucci with costars Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, and his real-life sister-in-law Emily Blunt.
    — Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 16 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Aaron Turpen / New Atlas The next big surprise is how civilized the Charger has become.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2026
  • On pavement, the 4Runner was comfortable and surprisingly civilized considering the serious off-road hardware underneath it.
    — Denver Post, Denver Post, 2 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Estefanía Mondragón, executive director of PODER of Idaho told the crowd to expect at least 12 more immigration bills in next year’s legislative session.
    — Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Weeks before the shootdown, the spies allegedly reported on the naval airbase in Key West and were told to transmit Brothers to the Rescue flight data back to the Cuban authorities.
    — Liv Caputo Herald, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, Calik’s True Fit concept explores durability through structural memory and enhanced recovery.
    — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • At the Busia border crossing with Uganda, The Associated Press witnessed enhanced screening procedures, with members of the public washing their hands and having their temperatures checked.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Chen advised supervisors facing decision fatigue to review shots within their sequences rather than obsess over individual frames.
    — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Risk climbs with the amount consumed, and women who drink are advised to limit intake to no more than one drink per day.
    — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 14 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Think of this as the matured version of the Kool-Aid dip-dye technique.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 7 Nov. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Enlightened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enlightened. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster