enlightening
adjective
en·light·en·ing
in-ˈlīt-niŋ 
-ˈlī-tᵊn-iŋ,
en-
: providing or tending to provide knowledge, understanding, or insight
a very enlightening discussion
… he takes readers on enlightening excursions through the nature of Judaism, Hegelian philosophy, wherever his curiosity heads.—
George Johnson
George Johnson
enlighteningly
adverb
Examples of enlightening in a Sentence
an enlightening pamphlet about the major changes that consumers can expect from their cable and Internet service providers
Recent Examples on the Web
For more recent history, the Ta’ Kola and Xewkija windmills are open to the public and offer an enlightening insight into a simpler time.
—AFAR Media, 28 Aug. 2025
Our own archery and rifle shooting session–led by a kilted Scandinavian instructor–proved both enlightening and exhilarating.
—Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
No other piece of music this year so eloquently captured fin de siècle wariness, the gnawing sense that a new, scary, and potentially enlightening world may be only two years away.
—Ew Staff Published, EW.com, 14 Aug. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for enlightening
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AFAR Media, 28 Aug. 2025
Our own archery and rifle shooting session–led by a kilted Scandinavian instructor–proved both enlightening and exhilarating.
—Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
No other piece of music this year so eloquently captured fin de siècle wariness, the gnawing sense that a new, scary, and potentially enlightening world may be only two years away.
—Ew Staff Published, EW.com, 14 Aug. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for enlightening
Cite this Entry
“Enlightening.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enlightening. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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