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
Michael Tedder, The Atlantic, 25 Jan. 2026
Watching this enlightening and entertaining documentary is a good way to start.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 23 Jan. 2026
Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for enlightening
Adjective
Depending on your age and pop-culture savvy, this entire endeavor was enlightening, hilarious, or utterly cringe.
—Michael Tedder, The Atlantic, 25 Jan. 2026
Watching this enlightening and entertaining documentary is a good way to start.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 23 Jan. 2026
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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Trump has, on more than one occasion, declared that tariff is his favorite word—an odd but instructive choice.—
Jonathan Lemire,
The Atlantic,
24 Feb. 2026
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Why This Research Stands Out for AI Applications For anyone tracking how AI is being applied outside its usual domains of business optimization and data analytics, this research offers a specific and instructive case study.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Blair is at the center of a lawsuit involving allegations that Virginia school officials made decisions about Blair's well-being and gender identity without informing the then-14-year-old's parents.—
Ayana Archie,
NPR,
24 Feb. 2026
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Late last night, New Yorkers received an emergency alert last night, informing them that there’s a driving ban.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Best of all are terrace bathtubs crafted from rocks or hinoki cypress wood, filled with hot spring onsen water—plus haiku-inspiring valley views.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Feb. 2026
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In just one week, a spectacular display of orbital mechanics will be visible to billions of people across the Americas, Asia, and Oceania, as Earth's shadow sweeps across the lunar disk, triggering the onset of an awe-inspiring 'blood moon' total lunar eclipse.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Washington State has shown that employer Medicaid reporting is feasible, informative, and durable.—
Stuart Appelbaum,
New York Daily News,
25 Feb. 2026
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Who Benefits from Multi-Model AI Anyone engaged in sharing informative, editorial storytelling is a potential customer for multi-model AI.—
Gretchen Wittenmyer-Stone,
Miami Herald,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Jenni also testified Tuesday, telling the court that her father and brother would sometimes fight, physically and verbally.—
Mirna Alsharif,
NBC news,
24 Feb. 2026
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Cordial countenance is quiet leadership, the atmosphere shift that makes truth telling possible.—
Adam Dietz,
Big Think,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The bill would cost the Department of Licensing almost $100,000 for a study group to investigate ways to assist law enforcement in regulating e-bikes and educating users about the distinctions between the two types of bikes.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
20 Feb. 2026
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This shaped my care in educating seniors to take part in their health care.—
Jereè Paul,
The Orlando Sentinel,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Critics warn the transfers will confuse schools and harm students, arguing agencies lack educational expertise.—
Annie Ma,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
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Rachel Gittleman, the union's president, said moving programs for schools to places without the right educational expertise will create confusion, not efficiency.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Years later, after spending time investing in and advising service companies, he felt drawn back to operating a business built around people and community presence.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
24 Feb. 2026
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Airports across the Northeast shared updates on social media about air travel disruptions because of the storm, advising travelers to check with their airlines about the status of their flights.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Enlightening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enlightening. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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