enlightened
Free from ignorance
Enlightened describes someone who has gained wisdom, understanding, or freedom from ignorance.
An enlightened ruler governs with reason and compassion.
The term often implies progressive thinking: enlightened views on education.
In spiritual contexts, particularly Buddhism, enlightenment is a state of awakening or liberation from suffering—one who has achieved this is enlightened.
The word can also be used ironically for those who consider themselves superior: our enlightened critics.
Favoring reform and innovation
- reformistAdvocate for gradual change
- forward-thinkingAnticipating future needs
- liberalOpen to reform
- tolerantAccepting of differences
humanitarian · egalitarian · secular · modernizing · rational · civilized · educated · open-minded
progressive
Favoring reform and innovation
- reformistAdvocate for gradual change
- forward-thinkingAnticipating future needs
- liberalOpen to reform
tolerant · humanitarian · egalitarian · secular · modernizing · rational · civilized · educated · open-minded · advanced
- spiritualitysacred, divine, holy, spiritual growth, spiritual practice
- intelligencesmart, IQ, memory, bright, clever
- wisdomwisdom, sagacity, sapience, discernment, insight
- BuddhismBuddha, dharma wheel, Four Noble Truths, nirvana, dharma
- secret societiesFreemasons, Illuminati, secret society, secret societies, Masons
- academicscholarly, academic, intellectual, erudite, learned
enlightenedignorant
Lacking knowledge or awareness
uninformed · unenlightened · uneducated · benighted · confused
enlightenednarrow-minded
Intolerant of differing views
small-minded · closed-minded · bigoted · intolerant · prejudiced
enlightenedunawakened
Not yet stirred
unenlightened · benighted · deluded · in darkness · unilluminated
- spiritual enlightenmentProfound transcendent awareness
- Age of EnlightenmentEra prioritizing reason
- enlightened beingOne attaining spiritual wisdom
enlighten, enlightening, enlightenment, unenlightened, enlightens