as in instructive
providing useful information or knowledge
an enlightening pamphlet about the major changes that consumers can expect from their cable and Internet service providers
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in informing
to give information to
the lecturer at the planetarium enlightened us about the latest astronomical discoveries
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in inspiring
to provide (someone) with moral or spiritual understanding
many people around the world have been enlightened by the teachings of Gautama Buddha
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of enlightening
Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 7 Apr. 2026
On April 5, while transiting the bold and fiery sign of Aries, the sun will meet with Jupiter in Cancer, in a tense but enlightening square.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
Beto O’Rourke, thank you so much for joining The David Frum Show and for enlightening us about Texas today.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for enlightening
Adjective
The fallout should be enlightening as Wu officials said many long-term vacant positions won’t be filled.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 7 Apr. 2026
On April 5, while transiting the bold and fiery sign of Aries, the sun will meet with Jupiter in Cancer, in a tense but enlightening square.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
But Taraborrelli believes that revisiting a moment in time when Jackson and his music became a cultural phenomenon, as well as enlightening new generations to his otherworldliness as an entertainer, should be a reason for unity.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
Beto O’Rourke, thank you so much for joining The David Frum Show and for enlightening us about Texas today.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for enlightening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enlightening
Adjective
-
The failures are instructive, too.—
Phil Blair,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The late-1990s dot-com boom is instructive.—
Perrie M. Weiner,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The passenger responded to an email from the ship’s operator informing passengers of the health event and checked himself in at a hospital.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
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In addition to informing policymakers and expanding research resources to find out more about the genesis of these events, scientists say more public awareness that these events are even happening is key.—
Ella Nilsen,
CNN Money,
6 May 2026
Verb
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In addition to inspiring TNT, the MGM deal gave Turner a few other ideas.—
Josef Adalian,
Vulture,
7 May 2026
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That feeling of being seen and understood stayed with her, ultimately inspiring Henson to commit to a career as a nurse and to offer the same reassurance to her own patients.—
Nancy Badertscher,
AJC.com,
7 May 2026
Adjective
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The beloved broadcaster – who turns 100 this week – has been making thrilling and informative shows about the wonders of our planet for decades, spanning everything from the reptiles that roamed the Earth 66 million years ago to the wildlife battling for survival in sub-zero polar regions.—
Irenie Forshaw,
TheWeek,
6 May 2026
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All of that might sound a little dense, but McKenzie’s fast and informative account of his deep dive into a blurry subject turns out to be one of the most entertaining, and yes, enlightening documentaries of the year.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Like Flores and Natal, Kaik found that the company, York Service & Towing, would only take cash, telling her that sometimes, people would pay with a credit card then cancel the card before payment went through.—
Ginny Monk,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
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Shortly after telling her to contact security, Alvarez arrived upstairs.—
Alex Gurley,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The celebration on Wednesday took place at the Holocaust Memorial Education Center – a brand new, state-of-the-art facility dedicated to preserving Holocaust history and educating future generations.—
Steven Yablonski,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
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Instead, public universities, local governments and regional organizations like the Mekong River Commission have mainly focused on monitoring levels of heavy metals and educating communities about risks.—
Anton L. Delgado,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Doris Fisher was also an advocate of educational opportunities for disadvantaged students.—
Anne D'Innocenzio,
Chicago Tribune,
5 May 2026
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The overall goal is to better position the campus to meet the workforce and educational needs across Dallas-Fort Worth.—
Samuel O’Neal
May 4,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 May 2026
Verb
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More recently, the firm built a notable business in women’s sports, advising on multiple rounds of NWSL expansion.—
Eben Novy-Williams,
Variety,
5 May 2026
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After 60 years as CEO of the conglomerate that owns everything from Dairy Queen to insurer Geico, Warren Buffett handed over the reins to Abel but is advising him and still serving as chairman.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Enlightening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enlightening. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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