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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of enlightening
Leo Barraclough, Variety, 24 Jan. 2025
Herbs For Health: Enhance your well-being and strengthen your resilience with the power of herbs in this enlightening class.
—Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 22 Jan. 2025
Rice was a brilliant interviewee and his analysis, and Stu’s writing makes for a fascinating and enlightening read.
—The Athletic Uk Staff, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024
Open family discussions about death and legacy are some real enlightening issues that the book talks about, ensuring everyone is on the same page and prepared for the future.
—Kimberly Harms, USA TODAY, 28 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for enlightening 
Adjective
That was the goal, enlightening to people here, but also being a powerful rallying call to people in Russia, also because his perspective is so unique.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 24 Jan. 2025
Herbs For Health: Enhance your well-being and strengthen your resilience with the power of herbs in this enlightening class.
—Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 22 Jan. 2025
Rice was a brilliant interviewee and his analysis, and Stu’s writing makes for a fascinating and enlightening read.
—The Athletic Uk Staff, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024
Open family discussions about death and legacy are some real enlightening issues that the book talks about, ensuring everyone is on the same page and prepared for the future.
—Kimberly Harms, USA TODAY, 28 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for enlightening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enlightening
Adjective
-
Rogan’s descent into far-right politics is instructive for understanding the diminished cultural resistance to Trump.—
Brady Brickner-Wood,
The New Yorker,
5 Feb. 2025
-
Breadfruit’s resilience and adaptability should be particularly instructive and inspiring to us in this moment.—
Elaine Savory,
JSTOR Daily,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Worst practices In-house production has been reduced or outsourced, and in 2023 Elsevier began using AI during production without informing the board, resulting in many style and formatting errors, as well as reversing versions of papers that had already been accepted and formatted by the editors.—
Jennifer Ouellette,
Ars Technica,
30 Dec. 2024
-
That’s what happened when Slay, sidelined for three fourth-quarter plays, ran back onto the field after informing one defensive back coach but not the other.—
Brooks Kubena,
The Athletic,
22 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
And the art of delegation requires inspiring direction, enabling resources, empowering authority, and credible accountability.—
George Bradt,
Forbes,
30 Dec. 2024
-
Princess Diana’s style is still inspiring generations.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
People.com,
30 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
From the front page to the last, there was always something informative that exposed the life of the community to the reader.—
Contributed Content,
Twin Cities,
6 Feb. 2025
-
That informative announcement asks the audience to acknowledge the indigenous people on whose ancestral lands the theater now stands.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
6 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The next two games will be telling.—
Chad Graff,
The Athletic,
23 Dec. 2024
-
Advertisement But telling officers not to lie during interrogations is not among them.—
Anita Chabria,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Billions in tax dollars are spent educating Kentucky's public school students each year, with the largest chunk of change going toward the almost 100,000 staff members running the state's schools.—
Krista Johnson,
The Courier-Journal,
24 Dec. 2024
-
This fosters inclusivity by respecting individual traditions, ensuring meaningful celebrations, and educating the team on these holidays, creating a workplace culture where everyone feels valued and included.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes,
20 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
On social media, the department has avoided mentioning flu shots in posts about the flu, instead advising people to wash their hands and cover their coughs.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
23 Dec. 2024
-
Universities in general are taking a cautious approach, stopping short of predicting a ban, but advising international students to plan ahead and prepare for potential delays at immigration control.—
Gord Magill,
Newsweek,
20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
The trend of clients seeking out educative experiences outside of the classroom continues to bubble, and this new epic pilgrimage is designed to celebrate the many life lessons Greek mythology presents while igniting children’s curiosity for the world through the ancient hero’s journey.—
Jared Ranahan,
Forbes,
27 Sep. 2024
-
The transformative retreats take place in Portugal and Sayulita, Mexico, and combine an impressive range of treatments and educative modalities.—
Kyle J. Russell,
USA TODAY,
13 June 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near enlightening
Cite this Entry
“Enlightening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enlightening. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share