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
Andrew McGowan, Variety, 14 Aug. 2025
Feedback has been inspiring, enlightening and empowering.
—Kansas City Star, 12 Aug. 2025
Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for enlightening
Adjective
His classical, sometimes obscure tastes contrasted with Pomeranz’s appreciation for Hollywood blockbusters, making their debates supremely entertaining as well as enlightening.
—Andrew McGowan, Variety, 14 Aug. 2025
Feedback has been inspiring, enlightening and empowering.
—Kansas City Star, 12 Aug. 2025
Verb
These are the most noteworthy bullet points from our engaging and enlightening two-hour conversation.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for enlightening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enlightening
Adjective
-
Newsom is also instructive here.—
W. James Antle III,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The turn for the worse is instructive.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Advertisement PurpleAir doesn’t forecast pollution, while AccuWeather tries to predict AQI hourly throughout the day for towns or cities based on available data informing their models.—
Matt Fuchs,
Time,
10 Sep. 2025
-
What is informing your take on the present-day mob families in New York?—
Selome Hailu,
Variety,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The efficiency and immediacy of space medicine may well influence healthcare innovation far beyond orbit, inspiring systems that are faster, cheaper, and more accessible.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
-
An outer wall of the exhibit includes commentary through the centuries from great poets and scholars about the awe-inspiring site.—
Jordan Hoffman,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Talk of money in Austen is always dramatic, never just informative.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Bazooka Joe invited 12 star athletes for a new collaboration, which combines the original theme of Joe delivering witty jokes with an informative component involving each sport.—
Shane Young,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
White House chief of staff Susie Wiles held an emotional meeting with staff on Wednesday after the assassination, telling members to go home and hug their families, the Wall Street Journal reported.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
With his latest weigh-in blunder, there's no telling whether Dana White, who has publicly criticized Gastelum for his egregious weigh-in mishaps in the past, will cut the longtime vet.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In other words, the leaders need to be the leaders while upholding the standards set forth by the coaching staff – a staff that had offseason turnover limited to one full-timer – while educating and guiding the younger players.—
Tom Layberger,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
And while some may say academics exist in an ivory tower, the experience of welcoming generations of young people into our institutions each year provides a constant reminder of what is gained by educating young adults to ask why and why not rather than to rely on rote certainty.—
Brendan Harley,
Twin Cities,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Gloria Lu is cosmetic chemist and co-founder of educational platform and skin-care line Chemist Confessions.—
Dani Hardman,
Allure,
15 Sep. 2025
-
The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The bank is advising its clients to take that change seriously, Sarah Kapnick, its global head of climate advisory, told Semafor.—
Tim McDonnell,
semafor.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
One woman, who identified herself only as Alice, questioned why the county wasn’t advising individuals living here illegally to self-deport.—
Grace Hase,
Mercury News,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Enlightening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enlightening. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share