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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of enlightening
Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 23 Apr. 2025
The Bottom Line Always respectful, occasionally enlightening.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Mar. 2025
Safe spaces where enlightening conversations on women’s health issues like PMS, PCOS, perimenopause, menopause are honored and held are just as scarce.
—Bianca Salonga, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Just viewing hockey and kind of what goes into the day to day of coaching has been very eye-opening and enlightening and very constructive for me.
—Scott Powers, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for enlightening
Adjective
For Jojo Siwa, it’s been an enlightening journey about her gender identity and sexuality, but some fans are noticing that she’s been very close to a male co-star.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 23 Apr. 2025
The Bottom Line Always respectful, occasionally enlightening.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Mar. 2025
Safe spaces where enlightening conversations on women’s health issues like PMS, PCOS, perimenopause, menopause are honored and held are just as scarce.
—Bianca Salonga, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Just viewing hockey and kind of what goes into the day to day of coaching has been very eye-opening and enlightening and very constructive for me.
—Scott Powers, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for enlightening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enlightening
Adjective
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The issue of identity is not just a fad but becomes a fact of self-determination — in this context, Dahomey’s flaws are instructive for this moment when race and gender exploitation runs rampant and unchecked.—
Armond White,
National Review,
16 May 2025
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Wagner’s interests away from the entertainment arena are instructive.—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
14 May 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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Sometimes music is just to entertain, sometimes music is informative, sometimes music is emotional.—
Angel Diaz,
Billboard,
30 May 2025
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Central Florida Stamp Club: Meetings include auctions and informative lectures.—
Joe Rassel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 May 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 5 Jun. 2025.
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