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
Damon Wise, Deadline, 13 Mar. 2026
This has been a very rewarding (and) enlightening (season).
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 13 Mar. 2026
David Frum, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2026
But there really aren’t any incorrect decisions, as every show promises enlightening sonic rewards.
—Bret Saunders, Denver Post, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for enlightening
Adjective
The most enlightening section covers the recording of Philosophy of the World, and Kwapis unearths a surprising number of eyewitnesses, given the amount of time that has since passed.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 13 Mar. 2026
This has been a very rewarding (and) enlightening (season).
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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
But there really aren’t any incorrect decisions, as every show promises enlightening sonic rewards.
—Bret Saunders, Denver Post, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for enlightening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enlightening
Adjective
-
The Houthis and the politics of regional instability The Houthis in Yemen, one of the conflict participants that remained surprisingly silent at the outbreak of the war, are instructive for understanding the region’s complicated and fractured dynamics.—
Ioana Emy Matesan,
The Conversation,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Their institutional design is instructive.—
Guy Vernet,
STAT,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In a surprising move, the club took accountability for not informing Woods earlier and gave him a two-stroke penalty while many felt he should have been disqualified entirely.—
Skyler Trepel,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
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The one-mile loop is located in the East District and features educational signs informing visitors about the area’s history and flora, an old homestead foundation, and a saguaro grove.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In Aries, this visceral energy takes on a more impulsive, reactive vibe, inspiring the urge to act on a vision without fully seeing it through.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
-
From the wings came De Niro, inspiring cheers from the exhibitors.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Rather than just spotting distant subjects, the ScoPix interface actively identifies them, aiming to help make nighttime excursions more educational and informative.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Citizens Action Coalition members encouraged concerned ratepayers to stay informed, get organized, attend informative events and take action.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Liz Igra has been telling her story for more than 40 years.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
14 Apr. 2026
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Canton Village LLCs, which is co-owned by businessman Akrum Sheikh of Orange, is telling town officials that its plan would make the shopping complex more attractive, serve modern consumer needs and resolve the hodgepodge traffic flow that has existed at the property for decades.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Not a new one every year, but a coherent, sustained commitment to supporting and educating student in every zip code.—
Opinion Staff,
Oc Register,
8 Apr. 2026
-
And the implication of cost disease is that the only way the cost of raising and educating children will stop going up is if the economy crashes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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He was given mental health and educational support, but later appeared to have stopped engaging with social workers.—
Brian Melley,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Apr. 2026
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The week’s events in San Diego, organized by Dark Sky San Diego County, include stargazing parties and educational programming across the county.—
Maura Fox,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Now, experts who say thousands could be impacted are advising what patients should do immediately.—
Marissa Sulek,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
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Japan’s trade chief was given a rebuke for making comments related to monetary policy, with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi advising him to steer clear of such topics in the future.—
Yoshiaki Nohara,
Bloomberg,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Enlightening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enlightening. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
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