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

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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

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 enlighten The company can also enlighten us on how falling crude prices are translating into cheaper prices for finished goods — in this case, jet fuel. — Zev Fima,kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 5 July 2026 And audiences clap to show their appreciation for the effort made to entertain, educate or enlighten us. — Judith Martin, Mercury News, 1 June 2026 Many will wish to get their foothold in Ljubljana, the capital city that’s home to enlightening museums, serene parks, and 15 restaurants singled out by the Michelin Guide. — Condé Nast Traveler, 22 May 2026 Ambiguity clouds the conversation and risks leaving your protégé more confused than enlightened. — Chip Bell, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for enlighten

Recent Examples of Synonyms for enlighten

Verb

According to Shai Eisenman, founder and chief executive officer of Bubble, the pairings were informed by long-standing consumer requests.

— Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 3 Aug. 2026
Schulz responded that the agency only needed to inform Congress about the reorganization.

— Chiara Eisner, NPR, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of inform

Verb

This strategy aims to educate and register Hispanic voters in over 40 states through 2028, prioritizing Florida, Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
Some even pay regulatory fines rather than change, often because decision-makers have not been educated about the available options and long-term economics.

— Zev Laine, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of educate

Verb

For a long time, we’ve all been told that remastering the older Super Robot Wars games was extremely difficult, due to all the licensing and other costs involved.

— Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Earlier, sources told CNN that the crown prince raised concerns over plans to strike Iran during the call.

— Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of tell

Verb

The announcement of a new investor without any details about who that investor is will also not exactly inspire confidence.

— Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
The character at its center is Bret Easton Ellis — played here by Igby Rigney, who does look eerily like the author’s high-school yearbook photo — and the book and series are largely inspired by Ellis’s real-life senior year at the Buckley School.

— Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of inspire

Verb

Her doctor advised her to stop clinical hyperpigmentation treatments for her dark spots and uneven skin tone as some ingredients could be unsafe to use while trying to conceive or during pregnancy.

— Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
The vessel and crew were safe and authorities are investigating, UKMTO said, advising ships to transit with caution.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 3 Aug. 2026