1
as in to inform
to give information to
the lecturer at the planetarium enlightened us about the latest astronomical discoveries
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to educate
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 enlighten
There should have been cameras at the university that could easily enlighten us as to what happened in the early morning of September 15, 2025.
—
Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
These are the most noteworthy bullet points from our engaging and enlightening two-hour conversation.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2025
Reading Proverbs did not manage to enlighten me to the possibility that my parents’ rules were devised in my best interest.
—Meghan O’Gieblyn, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
Hopefully, that prepares them to be active and engaged citizens of the democracy that George Washington fought so hard to secure and enlightens them to do something with their lives that will make the world a better place.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for enlighten
Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
These are the most noteworthy bullet points from our engaging and enlightening two-hour conversation.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2025
Reading Proverbs did not manage to enlighten me to the possibility that my parents’ rules were devised in my best interest.
—Meghan O’Gieblyn, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
Hopefully, that prepares them to be active and engaged citizens of the democracy that George Washington fought so hard to secure and enlightens them to do something with their lives that will make the world a better place.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for enlighten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enlighten
Verb
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The only way attorneys knew their client was detained at the site was because a family member informed them following a phone call from one of the phones located inside cells at the facility.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
2 Oct. 2025
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And then another thing to keep in mind is the importance of being informed, knowing what’s going on in the world.—
María Mérida,
Glamour,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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To carry out her vision, McMahon has brought on at least 20 political appointees from ultraconservative think tanks and advocacy groups eager to de-emphasize public schools, which have educated students for roughly 200 years.—
Megan O’Matz,
ProPublica,
8 Oct. 2025
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For example, the nation’s premiere federal cybersecurity scholarship program to recruit, educate and place future federal cybersecurity workers would be reduced by over 60%.—
Richard Forno,
The Conversation,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Another told Feltner to call a township trustee.—
Patricia Gallagher Newberry,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
2 Oct. 2025
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Caroline Ervin, landscape designer and owner of The Georgetown Garden Shop, told shrubs that produce berries in the fall are especially valuable during migration season, offering essential nutrition to birds in need of high-fat, energy-rich foods.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The show gave local independent musicians exposure on its soundtrack, increased the popularity of venues like The Bluebird Cafe, inspired cast tours and years later, sparked reunion tours.—
Audrey Gibbs,
Nashville Tennessean,
5 Oct. 2025
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Trailers showing Erivo in full green-skinned Elphaba costume and Grande decked out in a sparkly pink G(a)linda gown have surely inspired new and old fans alike.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Sleep problems Men can ask their primary care doctors to perform a blood test to check their testosterone levels, Munger advised.—
Shiv Sudhakar,
FOXNews.com,
4 Oct. 2025
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If Your Party wants to avoid a similar fate, it would be well advised to be disciplined and electorally oriented—and to drop single-issue activism, hostility to Labour, and inept, baggage-laden figures such as Corbyn.—
Arash Azizi,
The Atlantic,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The agency is investigating what caused the crash, but noted air traffic control had instructed flight 5155 to wait to cross the intersection and yield to the other aircraft.—
Aaron Cooper,
CNN Money,
2 Oct. 2025
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According to the allegations, King instructed a female employee to remove her sweater, which was covering a V-neck blouse.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Enlighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enlighten. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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