Synonyms of enlighten

enlighten

verb

in-ˈlī-tᵊn 

1

as in to inform

to give information to

the lecturer at the planetarium enlightened us about the latest astronomical discoveries

Synonyms & Similar Words

• inform
• tell
• advise
• instruct
• educate
• teach
• acquaint
• familiarize
• brief
• apprise
• wise (up)
• hip
• fill in
• clue (in)
• notify
• catch up
• alert
• clear
• verse
• let someone know
• convince
• keep (someone) posted
• reassure
• assure
• advertise
• disclose (to)
• announce (to)
• lecture
• certify
• warrant
• disabuse
• school
• undeceive
• disillusion
• tutor
• disenchant

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• mislead
• misinform

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• educate
• inspire
• illumine
• enrich
• edify
• illuminate
• transform
• nurture
• uplift
• improve
• ennoble
• illume
• elevate
• better
• lift
• exalt
• regenerate
• renew
• ensoul
• transfigure
• glorify

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• confuse
• puzzle
• perplex
• obscure
• darken
• cloud
• becloud

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of enlighten

This facility really enlightened the physics of that operation considerably. — Ricky Sayer, CBS News, 30 July 2026

Their aim was to enlighten us about language’s very real and powerful, if mostly invisible, effects. — Emily Eakin, Harpers Magazine, 28 July 2026

Madonna has been trying to enlighten us since 1998’s Ray of Light, but back then—and for most of her career—her personal quest was tied to an artistic one. — Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 10 July 2026

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