enlightened
adjective
en·light·ened
in-ˈlī-tᵊnd 
en-
1
: freed from ignorance and misinformation
an enlightened people
an enlightened time
2
: based on full comprehension of the problems involved
issued an enlightened ruling
Examples of enlightened in a Sentence
an enlightened approach to prison reform
Recent Examples on the Web
Ménochet is a scary wonder as Marc, a great bear of a man who is chillingly adept at hiding his rage and possessiveness under the guise of a gentle, enlightened ascetic.
—
Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2026
His is a more enlightened era, but Hannes, lonely and withdrawn, doesn’t share his classmates’ interest in campus sit-ins and free love.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 8 May 2026
This movie, which anchors Reef’s climactic breakthrough to his enlightened decision to stop googling himself.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 9 Apr. 2026
Created under the umbrella of the Shorefast Foundation, a Canadian charity Cobb cofounded with her brothers, the inn is part of a project to revitalize the island economy through enlightened tourism.
—Akash Kapur, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for enlightened
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Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2026
His is a more enlightened era, but Hannes, lonely and withdrawn, doesn’t share his classmates’ interest in campus sit-ins and free love.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 8 May 2026
This movie, which anchors Reef’s climactic breakthrough to his enlightened decision to stop googling himself.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 9 Apr. 2026
Created under the umbrella of the Shorefast Foundation, a Canadian charity Cobb cofounded with her brothers, the inn is part of a project to revitalize the island economy through enlightened tourism.
—Akash Kapur, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for enlightened
Cite this Entry
“Enlightened.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enlightened. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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