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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of enlightening
Rachel Barber, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
These two men have created an enlightening and entertaining eight-episode podcast series.
—Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 18 June 2025
Comments Writer-director-producer Judd Apatow stopped by for a thorough and enlightening appearance on Christina Applegate and Jamie-Lynn Sigler's MeSsy podcast this week, and spun many yarns about his life and career.
—Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 17 June 2025
In fact, the odds on the correct series score are enlightening.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for enlightening
Adjective
Taking the time to determine your exact financial situation and set goals can be an enlightening experience.
—Rachel Barber, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
These two men have created an enlightening and entertaining eight-episode podcast series.
—Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 18 June 2025
Comments Writer-director-producer Judd Apatow stopped by for a thorough and enlightening appearance on Christina Applegate and Jamie-Lynn Sigler's MeSsy podcast this week, and spun many yarns about his life and career.
—Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 17 June 2025
In fact, the odds on the correct series score are enlightening.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for enlightening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enlightening
Adjective
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The timeline of Isaacman's nomination for NASA administrator is instructive.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
26 June 2025
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Here, the experience of Hefei, a Chinese city that has become a manufacturing center for electric vehicles—akin to a twenty-first-century Detroit—might be instructive.—
Damien Ma,
Foreign Affairs,
23 June 2025
Verb
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Agency employees received an email this week informing them that they are placed on administrative leave, until further notice.—
Greta Cross,
USA TODAY,
15 Mar. 2025
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And senior current and former government officials as well as researchers worry that more serious threats are on the horizon, including to critical information that is key to informing tax policy.—
Howard Gleckman,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
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This provides visibility and recognition for women’s contributions while showcasing their achievements and inspiring others.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes,
24 Mar. 2025
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The Argentine manager is celebrated for creating and inspiring strong groups at Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur.—
Paul Tenorio,
The Athletic,
24 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Helen Hunt popped by Ted Danson's Where Everybody Knows Your Name podcast to take part in a rich and informative conversation about their careers in film and television.—
Jordan Hoffman,
EW.com,
3 July 2025
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Consider producing informative, concise videos to provide optionality for content consumption while showcasing your personality.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
3 July 2025
Verb
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By some accounts, this Santa Tracker initiative kicked off by complete accident in 1955, when a Colorado Springs Sears printed a newspaper announcement telling children to call a certain phone number to chat with Santa.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
23 Dec. 2024
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Unfortunately, many in the United States may even question whether CENTCOM is telling the truth.—
Peter Suciu,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
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She's spent over six months educating her following of over 700,000 about JEB.—
Skyler Caruso,
People.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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Going the extra mile to welcome Latino students A small Catholic university that dates back to 1922, Dominican has a history of educating the children of immigrants — in earlier times those of northern and central European origin.—
Jon Marcus,
NPR,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Palace put a message out on their social media page advising the issue had been fixed around 35 minutes after tickets went on sale.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
13 Apr. 2025
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Despite this being the lowest classification, health officials are still advising consumers to take precautions.—
Rachel Flynn,
People.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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While apples-to-apples comparisons aren’t possible, a look at the streaming businesses is educative for identifying longer-term trends.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Apr. 2025
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The trend of clients seeking out educative experiences outside of the classroom continues to bubble, and this new epic pilgrimage is designed to celebrate the many life lessons Greek mythology presents while igniting children’s curiosity for the world through the ancient hero’s journey.—
Jared Ranahan,
Forbes,
27 Sep. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Enlightening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enlightening. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
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