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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of enlightening
Ew Staff Published, EW.com, 14 Aug. 2025
His classical, sometimes obscure tastes contrasted with Pomeranz’s appreciation for Hollywood blockbusters, making their debates supremely entertaining as well as enlightening.
—Andrew McGowan, Variety, 14 Aug. 2025
Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for enlightening
Adjective
No other piece of music this year so eloquently captured fin de siècle wariness, the gnawing sense that a new, scary, and potentially enlightening world may be only two years away.
—Ew Staff Published, EW.com, 14 Aug. 2025
His classical, sometimes obscure tastes contrasted with Pomeranz’s appreciation for Hollywood blockbusters, making their debates supremely entertaining as well as enlightening.
—Andrew McGowan, Variety, 14 Aug. 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
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The state of West Virginia is a particularly instructive—and in some ways surprising—case.—
Dhruv Khullar,
New Yorker,
24 Sep. 2025
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Infrastructure overbuild Perhaps the most instructive parallel for today’s AI boom lies in the massive infrastructure overinvestment that preceded the dot-com crash.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But after winning just six games the next two seasons, AD Mike Garrett left a message on the coach’s answering machine informing him he was fired.—
Stewart Mandel,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
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Stewart opened by informing the audience that there have been six mass shootings in the past 24 hours.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The film reveals awe-inspiring cosmic vistas and glimpses of daily life in orbit, captured with 8K ultra-high-definition cameras.—
Marcelo Cajueiro,
Variety,
4 Oct. 2025
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Bridges have always been one of the most awe-inspiring marvels of engineering.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Subtle facial cues proved as informative as neuron populations.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Sep. 2025
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Instead, Rodriguez said, student performance levels — Does Not Meet, Meets, Partially Meets, or Exceeds standards — are much more informative.—
Imani Cruzen,
Twin Cities,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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And even in a film telling a universal story, some cultural allusions speak most strongly to the home audience.—
Gershom Gorenberg,
The Atlantic,
3 Oct. 2025
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American technologists have been telling educators to rapidly adopt their new inventions for over a century.—
Justin Reich,
The Conversation,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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With interactive pavilions and nature trails aimed at educating visitors on Florida’s unique coastal ecosystem, the Oceanographic Coastal Center could be a full day’s worth of exploration.—
Kelsey Glennon,
Southern Living,
3 Oct. 2025
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Looking toward the future, the family hopes to continue spreading awareness and educating others about rare diagnoses.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The post-graduate educational initiative kicks off in January with yearlong academic courses across management, innovation, sustainability, production, finance, e-commerce, communication and marketing held at Accademia Costume & Moda’s Milan campus.—
Martino Carrera,
Footwear News,
6 Oct. 2025
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Eliminating $1 law and focus on community needs The board’s sixth priority revolves around facilities and advocates for the immediate removal of the $1 law, which requires school districts to hand over unused buildings to charter schools or other educational institutions for a $1.—
Caroline Beck,
IndyStar,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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When there was labor unrest, the coal town churches tended to side with the companies, advising miners against strikes or agitation.—
The Conversation,
The Conversation,
7 Oct. 2025
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The University of Southern California (USC) has issued a warning to faculty and staff holding H‑1B work visas, advising them to postpone international travel until further guidance is available amid the White House immigration crackdown, according to , a student newspaper.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Enlightening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enlightening. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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