ENLIGHTEN Synonyms: 65 Similar and Opposite Words

enlighten

verb

in-ˈlī-tᵊn

Definition of enlighten

as in to inform

to give information to the lecturer at the planetarium enlightened us about the latest astronomical discoveries

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of enlighten Ambiguity clouds the conversation and risks leaving your protégé more confused than enlightened. — Chip Bell, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026 The flip of a switch enlightened Americans to the potential of the technology to transform just about every aspect of their lives. — Kevin Frazier, Fortune, 13 May 2026 Call it enlightened self-interest. — Big Think, 7 May 2026 The intention of Guay and his small circle of advisers appears to have been to obscure, not enlighten. — Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 2 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for enlighten

Recent Examples of Synonyms for enlighten

Verb

Before Monday’s maneuver, the Russian ship informed HMS Tyne – a British patrol vessel – of its intention to conduct live-fire activity, CNN understands.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
Both discoveries informed her choices for many of the principal cast and background actors.

— Sophia Panych, Allure, 20 July 2026

Definition of inform

Verb

Its inhabitants remain largely indifferent to the independence movement; village elders reason that freedom will benefit the educated while cultivators will merely exchange one set of masters for another.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 July 2026
Area communities, which receive a share of the tourism revenues, have been educated about the importance of conservation.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 July 2026

Definition of educate

Verb

Fans were inspired, and more big-name players followed, including Peter Beardsley, Keegan’s former Newcastle team-mate.

— James Pearce, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Wolverine works for Team X, a black-ops group (inspired by the team from the comics) fighting for mutant survival.

— Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 22 July 2026

Definition of inspire

Verb

Varela noted that a different United representative had advised them by phone to arrive at SFO early Tuesday so airport customer service could fix the error.

— Thom Jensen, NBC news, 20 July 2026
For precaution, the weather service advises anyone spending time outdoors to know the symptoms of heat exhaustion, which include dizziness, thirst, nausea, heavy sweating and weakness.

— Ruth Abramovitz, Sun Sentinel, 20 July 2026

Definition of advise

Verb

The ministry instructed citizens to remain calm and head to the nearest safe space.

— Jomana Karadsheh, CNN Money, 19 July 2026
Iran has reportedly instructed Yemen's Houthis to prepare to close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait if the US strikes Iranian power infrastructure, which has commenced.

— Frank Ahrens, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026