as in education
the process by which one gains a greater understanding of something
The teacher's supplementary notes did provide some enlightenment on the difficult material. Those seeking enlightenment on Eastern philosophy should sign up for the class.
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Recent Examples of enlightenment
After all, Moses famously spent 40 days and 40 nights alone on Mount Sinai before receiving the 10 commandments from God, and Buddha meditated for 49 days under a Bodhi tree before reaching enlightenment.
—
Hannah Towey, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Feb. 2026
Flowers are symbolic in Buddhism and reflect core teachings, such as impermanence, enlightenment and interconnectedness.
—Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
The monks practice and teach Vipassana meditation, an ancient Indian technique taught by the Buddha as core to attaining enlightenment.
—CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
The monks practice and teach Vipassana meditation, an ancient Indian technique taught by the Buddha himself as core for attaining enlightenment.
—Deepa Bharath, Fortune, 11 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for enlightenment
Hannah Towey, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Feb. 2026
Flowers are symbolic in Buddhism and reflect core teachings, such as impermanence, enlightenment and interconnectedness.
—Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
The monks practice and teach Vipassana meditation, an ancient Indian technique taught by the Buddha as core to attaining enlightenment.
—CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
The monks practice and teach Vipassana meditation, an ancient Indian technique taught by the Buddha himself as core for attaining enlightenment.
—Deepa Bharath, Fortune, 11 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for enlightenment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enlightenment
Noun
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For one, people who sit on school boards in Minnesota are largely the candidates that teachers unions want to see running education.—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Mar. 2026
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Congress largely rejected those cuts last month, although funding for programs focusing on social drivers of health, such as access to food, housing and education, were axed.—
Angela Hart,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The family also claims the university had prior knowledge of safety concerns tied to large events but failed to address them.—
Frederick Sutton Sinclair,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
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The Horned Frogs are getting hot at the right time and Pierre said the knowledge and experience from these wins would help the Horned Frogs as the postseason approaches.—
Lawrence Dow,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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At universities, the study of ancient Chinese texts has historically been scattered across disciplines; now, under government direction, universities are trying to gather that scholarship in new classics departments where, one theory goes, ancient truths can be nurtured and passed down.—
Chang Che,
New Yorker,
8 Mar. 2026
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All funds collected will go toward scholarships, club activities and community projects.—
Martina Schimitschek,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Enlightenment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enlightenment. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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