enlightening 1 of 2

adjective

in-ˈlīt-niŋ How to pronounce enlightening (audio)
Definition of enlighteningnext
as in instructive
providing useful information or knowledge an enlightening pamphlet about the major changes that consumers can expect from their cable and Internet service providers

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

enlightening

2 of 2

verb

present participle of enlighten
1
as in informing
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 inspiring
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

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 enlightening
Adjective
This was very enlightening for me. — Literary Hub, 26 June 2026 But also very enlightening and [a] profound time of self-reflection and fear, processing and meditation. — Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 23 June 2026
Verb
But Taraborrelli believes that revisiting a moment in time when Jackson and his music became a cultural phenomenon, as well as enlightening new generations to his otherworldliness as an entertainer, should be a reason for unity. — Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026 Beto O’Rourke, thank you so much for joining The David Frum Show and for enlightening us about Texas today. — David Frum, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for enlightening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enlightening
  1. instructive
  2. informing
  3. inspiring
  4. informative
  5. telling
  6. educating
  7. educational
  8. advising
Adjective
  • The transition from the British pound to the US dollar provides an instructive if imperfect case study.
    — Philipp Carlsson-Szlezak, Fortune, 17 July 2026
  • There’s no outstanding candidate available to England and, while Tuchel clearly got the second half against Argentina badly wrong, there’s merit in allowing that semi-final to become an instructive experience going forward.
    — The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 16 July 2026
Definition of instructive
Verb
  • Corporate officials reached out to Murrell later that day and apologized to her, informing her that the driver was no longer working for FedEx.
    — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 17 July 2026
  • Page’s character Sinon is the soldier tasked with informing the Trojans that the Trojan Horse is a gift from the Greeks, imploring them to drag the giant statue into the city with Odysseus, Menelaus (Jon Bernthal) and more soldiers inside.
    — Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026
Definition of informing
Verb
  • The house put the family and its guests not only in direct contact with the awe-inspiring waterfall beneath it but also with the geological feature’s humidity, causing mildew growth that needed mitigation.
    — Elizabeth Fazzare, Architectural Digest, 14 July 2026
  • The goal of the project is to spur civic engagement and foster connection between Los Gatans by inspiring them to reflect on the rights enshrined in the Constitution.
    — Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 14 July 2026
Definition of inspiring
Adjective
  • In France, some opposition lawmakers opposed the bill at an earlier stage over concerns about free speech and access to informative online content.
    — Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
  • The pop-up exhibition includes informative panels and interactive kiosks that tap storytelling, illustration, technology and artifacts.
    — Staff report, Daily News, 20 July 2026
Definition of informative
Verb
  • These short chains of amino acids are found naturally in the body and act as useful messengers, telling cells when to repair damaged tissue, produce hormones, reduce inflammation, and more.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 20 July 2026
  • The presentation blends stories, historical context and quilt traditions to see how textiles are powerful tools for communication, telling stories and preserving culture.
    — La Jolla Light, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 July 2026
Definition of telling
Verb
  • What began as a public hospital has evolved into one of the nation’s leading academic health systems — advancing groundbreaking research, educating generations of physicians and caregivers, and providing world-class care to patients.
    — Pradeep Khosla, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 July 2026
  • Its Sea Hub for Environmental Learning in Laamu (SHELL) is an impressive center with interactive spaces dedicated to educating guests and local Maldivians about the local marine life.
    — Katie Lockhart, Robb Report, 16 July 2026
Definition of educating
Adjective
  • What the Nun Study Found About Alzheimer’s Researchers combined yearly cognitive testing with medical records and educational transcripts.
    — Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 July 2026
  • Sanchez is also interested in improving his district’s educational outcomes, according to his website.
    — Sofi Zeman July 16, Kansas City Star, 16 July 2026
Definition of educational
Verb
  • Dan Schnur, a former Republican turned independent and politics professor at several California universities, is advising More Choice.
    — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 16 July 2026
  • Regional airlines have mostly recovered to pre-conflict capacity levels, but the EU’s aviation watchdog issued a fresh warning advising airlines to avoid airspace over much of the region.
    — Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 15 July 2026
Definition of advising

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Cite this Entry

“Enlightening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enlightening. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on enlightening

Nglish: Translation of enlightening for Spanish Speakers

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