ENGLISH
REFERENCE

enlightened

adj.
C1 Advanced US //ˌɛnˈɫaɪtənd// UK //ɛnlˈaɪtənd// en·light·ened

adj. having a modern and wise understanding of the world, often because you are free from old-fashioned or narrow ideas.

adj. characterised by a rational, well-informed, and tolerant outlook; free from ignorance or prejudice. Often refers to individuals or policies that prioritise reason and human rights over tradition.


SIMPLE

The company has an enlightened policy on parental leave.

CONTEXTUAL

An enlightened approach to criminal justice focuses more on rehabilitation than on purely punitive measures.

COMPLEX

The philosopher argued that an enlightened society must protect the rights of its smallest minorities even when their views challenge the prevailing consensus of the majority.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage

Commonly used both attributively before a noun and predicatively after linking verbs like 'become' or 'seem'.

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