enlighten
verb
en·light·en
in-ˈlī-tᵊn 
en-
enlightened; enlightening
in-ˈlīt-niŋ
-ˈlī-tᵊn-iŋ,
en-
1
a
: to furnish knowledge to : instruct
enlightened us about the problem
b
: to give spiritual insight to
2
archaic
: illuminate
Synonyms
Examples of enlighten in a Sentence
I don't understand what's going on; can someone please enlighten me?
the lecturer at the planetarium enlightened us about the latest astronomical discoveries
Recent Examples on the Web
Surround yourself with people who enlighten you, but don’t buy into or pay for someone pressuring you for a financial contribution.
—
Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2024
From providing newer images of galaxies taken by the Hubble Space Telescope to enlightening experts on supernova remnants and peering into the early universe, the spacecraft has already discovered so much.
—Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 8 Mar. 2024
Even so, my mind has often turned to reflecting on my journey as an entrepreneur and to a particular concept that’s enlightened me through the years.
—George Baker Sr., Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024
Watching my sisters become mothers and nieces become women has only reminded me of the tender care necessary to enlighten the feminine divine.
—Laila Annmarie Stevens, Parents, 15 Jan. 2024
Jimmy Buffett looks at 50 years after his first Key West gig
How Buffett fits in with the church
Count Hafner among the enlightened.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2024
Around the globe, an array of new museum openings are also poised to enlighten and inspire.
—Laura Kiniry, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Jan. 2024
The interview provided little groundbreaking substance that would enlighten American audiences as to what Putin intends to do about Ukraine, which has been devastated by nearly two years of unprovoked Russian bombardment and unlawful occupation.
—Nathan Hodge, CNN, 8 Feb. 2024
The Hill, a widely read news source inside the Beltway, wrote a story about the letter that included background that may have enlightened the uninitiated.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Feb. 2024
Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2024
From providing newer images of galaxies taken by the Hubble Space Telescope to enlightening experts on supernova remnants and peering into the early universe, the spacecraft has already discovered so much.
—Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 8 Mar. 2024
Even so, my mind has often turned to reflecting on my journey as an entrepreneur and to a particular concept that’s enlightened me through the years.
—George Baker Sr., Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024
Watching my sisters become mothers and nieces become women has only reminded me of the tender care necessary to enlighten the feminine divine.
—Laila Annmarie Stevens, Parents, 15 Jan. 2024
Jimmy Buffett looks at 50 years after his first Key West gig
How Buffett fits in with the church
Count Hafner among the enlightened.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2024
Around the globe, an array of new museum openings are also poised to enlighten and inspire.
—Laura Kiniry, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Jan. 2024
The interview provided little groundbreaking substance that would enlighten American audiences as to what Putin intends to do about Ukraine, which has been devastated by nearly two years of unprovoked Russian bombardment and unlawful occupation.
—Nathan Hodge, CNN, 8 Feb. 2024
The Hill, a widely read news source inside the Beltway, wrote a story about the letter that included background that may have enlightened the uninitiated.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'enlighten.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near enlighten
Cite this Entry
“Enlighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enlighten. Accessed 28 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
enlighten
verb
en·light·en
in-ˈlīt-ᵊn
enlightened; enlightening
-ˈlīt-niŋ
-ᵊn-iŋ
: to give knowledge or understanding to : instruct
enlightened us about the problem
enlightenment
noun
-ᵊn-mənt
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