Synonyms of enlightening

enlightening 1 of 2

adjective

in-ˈlīt-niŋ 

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

• instructive
• informative
• educational
• educative
• instructional
• informational
• illuminating
• informatory
• detailed
• beneficial
• comprehensive
• helpful
• edifying
• useful
• copious
• explanatory
• constructive
• profitable
• worthwhile
• practical
• elucidative
• chatty
• full
• gossipy
• usable
• newsy
• communicatory
• serviceable
• availing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• uninformative
• useless
• impractical
• unenlightening
• uninstructive
• unilluminating
• unusable
• unhelpful

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• informing
• telling
• advising
• instructing
• briefing
• teaching
• educating
• acquainting
• familiarizing
• apprising
• filling in
• clearing
• alerting
• catching up
• reassuring
• convincing
• notifying
• hipping
• letting someone know
• keeping (someone) posted
• versing
• clueing (in)
• wising (up)
• advertising
• lecturing
• assuring
• disclosing (to)
• announcing (to)
• disillusioning
• tutoring
• certifying
• schooling
• warranting
• disabusing
• disenchanting
• undeceiving

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• misleading
• misinforming

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

• inspiring
• educating
• edifying
• enriching
• illuminating
• uplifting
• illumining
• transforming
• nurturing
• ennobling
• improving
• illuming
• elevating
• lifting
• bettering
• ensouling
• exalting
• regenerating
• renewing
• transfiguring
• glorifying

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• confusing
• puzzling
• perplexing
• obscuring
• darkening
• clouding
• beclouding

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of enlightening

Adjective

The Secret Order was canceled after one season, but the show wasn’t exactly working in tandem with Interview With the Vampire and The Vampire Lestat, which would’ve been more interesting or at least more enlightening. — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 20 July 2026

Statistics are enlightening, but insufficient for understanding this heritage. — CBS News, 12 July 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