enlightened

ADJECTIVE

well-informed, tolerant of alternative views

Synonyms

STRONGEST

civilized knowledgeable literate open-minded reasonable sophisticated tolerant well-informed

STRONG

cultivated instructed learned liberal refined savvy sharp

WEAK

aware broad-minded forward-thinking hip to in the picture knowing what's what plugged in tuned-in wised up

Antonyms

STRONG

ignorant stupid

WEAK

confounded confused in the dark misled perplexed uneducated unenlightened uninformed

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Many of the problems we face are self-inflicted, and they are fixable with proper allocation of resources, and enlightened and accountable leadership.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 10, 2026

They believe in an enlightened, secular Islam compatible with freedom of conscience and civil equality.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 2, 2026

If Spain in the 1930s may look racially homogeneous from our supposedly enlightened point of view, Kaufman indirectly makes the point that such definitions are always subjective, and subject to historical revision.

From Salon • Nov. 16, 2025

Self help gurus and HR departments teach us that finding your “whole self” is an enlightened goal.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 6, 2025

As they saw it, the city had taken a step back from the brink of catastrophe, thanks to its enlightened leaders.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson

Vocabulary lists containing enlightened

Matilda

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The Monroe Doctrine (1823)

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The Enlightenment

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