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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in informing
to give information to
the lecturer at the planetarium enlightened us about the latest astronomical discoveries
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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 enlightening
Big Think, 28 Nov. 2025
In testing these first two concepts, the team of scientists arrived at some very enlightening and surprising results.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 5 Nov. 2025
Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for enlightening
Adjective
As beautiful and enlightening as the recent James Webb Space Telescope pictures are, astronomy and astrophysics aren’t going to keep the seas from rising.
—Big Think, 28 Nov. 2025
In testing these first two concepts, the team of scientists arrived at some very enlightening and surprising results.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
These are the most noteworthy bullet points from our engaging and enlightening two-hour conversation.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for enlightening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enlightening
Adjective
-
History shows that muses are not anomalies, and their stories are instructive for us now.—
Valerie L. Myers,
The Conversation,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The series finds an instructive case in one particular pastor, whose trajectory as a neo-Nazi skinhead turned vehement anti-racist makes for a compelling tale.—
Benjamin Cannon,
The Atlantic,
23 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Two days after Dallas’ season ended, the Cowboys fired defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus and HBO had footage of head coach Brian Schottenheimer informing the coaching staff that Eberflus had been let go.—
Nate Sanchez,
Dallas Morning News,
14 Jan. 2026
-
That law bars a private sector employer from even asking anyone to take such a test without first informing the person in writing at the time of the test of their right to refuse to take it.—
Dan Eaton,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Published in 2021, Cochrun’s novel went viral with over 10,000 posts on TikTok, inspiring scores of fan art, and has been translated into eight languages.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
15 Jan. 2026
-
This type of photogenic-tourism (a term used to describe travelers seeking out a frame-worthy view) is inspiring a new generation to explore the world.—
Essence,
Essence,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The telenovella follows a woman who is about to get married, while also being in love with another man, and includes several plot twists, cleverly woven intermingled with scenes of the country’s landmark destinations and informative safety instructions for flight passengers.—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
-
While each story was informative, entertaining, and served as a reminder of how and why the diversity of people and culture helps to enrich the lives of all Kansas Citians, several of those stories stood out as some of the best in 2025.—
Mara Williams,
Kansas City Star,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
As doctors pressed her for information, Nicole remembered Hannah telling her about special supplement capsules that Brian placed on her nightstand every night.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
-
After telling his story to the ship's captain (Lars Mikkelsen), Victor is confronted by the Creature, now emerged from the sea.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
So prevalent is memorabilia fraud that the United States Postal Inspectors Service devotes an entire page on its website educating consumers how to protect themselves.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
11 Jan. 2026
-
The narrative tracks a woman from an indigenous community in rural India whose job involves educating machine learning systems.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The Alliance is a nonprofit, private-public collaborative consisting of businesses, government, educational institutions and community organizations.—
Marianne Love,
Daily News,
13 Jan. 2026
-
When children reach school age, mothers spend three times longer than fathers organizing educational activities and nearly twice as much time transporting children to school and activities.—
Oona Metz,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Faber will remain with the company and executive produce both new and existing projects, along with advising on the creative and commercial strategy of the business.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Kellyanne Conway’s firm is advising Netflix, according to a person familiar with the matter.—
Rohan Goswami,
semafor.com,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Enlightening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enlightening. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
