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
Beta has put in the legwork, sourcing enlightening testimony from figures including Maupin and Alice’s great-nephew Steven Ellison, better known by his producer-musician moniker, Flying Lotus. — Ian Penman, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026 Plus, a little more detail on Dexcom’s FDA pilot and an enlightening look at how scribes are working their way into medical education. — Mario Aguilar, STAT, 4 Aug. 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 enduring travails of the Shinnecock Indian Nation, landed cousins of the Montauketts in eastern Long Island, are instructive.
    — Jason Motlagh, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2026
  • How Davis, Lee, and others convinced themselves of their cause, although instructive to the working of the human mind, is immaterial to the facts of American history.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of instructive
Verb
  • While generative AI creates content, agentic AI can execute tasks and pursue objectives, moving AI from informing work to increasingly performing it.
    — Jo Debecker, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Ukraine's Ministry of Defense sources said SpaceX had unilaterally imposed the Starshield restrictions without informing them beforehand.
    — Aidan Stretch, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of informing
Verb
  • Their advocacy resulted in Eric’s ID Law in Maryland and is now inspiring similar bills elsewhere.
    — Jermaine F. Williams, Baltimore Sun, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Take a tour of Endeavour’s new home at the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center, which features an awe-inspiring elevator ride, 115-foot slide and dozens of fun and educational exhibits.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of inspiring
Adjective
  • But their subjective descriptions were a little more informative.
    — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 20 Oct. 2026
  • These informative passages function similarly to footnotes, but without the disruption of having to read minuscule print at the bottom of the page.
    — Heller McAlpin, Christian Science Monitor, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of informative
Verb
  • Using such guidelines as the standard is reasonable, which is exactly what makes his handling of them so telling.
    — Torie Bosch, STAT, 24 Oct. 2026
  • One invective accuses the directors of destroying the truth-telling potential of documentary.
    — Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of telling
Verb
  • As such, continued awareness of ongoing ICE activities and educating people about their rights is core to the NWI Community Response Team’s mission.
    — Jim Masters, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Faculty are chosen based on their track record of educating Black students.
    — Elissa Nadworny, NPR, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of educating
Adjective
  • But Florida has decisively moved beyond an educational system dominated by a single operator — the school district — and toward a new construct where multiple operators provide choices for families.
    — Thibaut Delloue, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026
  • During this week’s visit, the delegation also met with the Jesuit Refugee Service and the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, a department that promotes human rights, both of which Rattenbury said were educational experiences.
    — Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of educational
Verb
  • According to Bowles, some NAACP representatives discussed encouraging campus protests or advising families against enrolling their children at FIU.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Solomon Rivera left a $272,000-a-year job advising Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass this year.
    — David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 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 1 Nov. 2026.

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