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
The enlightenment for us is that material things can be gone within a day.
—
David Browne, Rolling Stone, 20 Nov. 2025
She’s not ruled by her primordial urges, but incorporates them into a larger personal quest for knowledge and enlightenment.
—Katie Rife, Vulture, 9 Nov. 2025
For millennia, breath has been understood not only as the cornerstone of human life but as a path to spiritual enlightenment.
—Sean Williams, Outside, 27 Oct. 2025
In this franchise, that’s practically spiritual enlightenment.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for enlightenment
David Browne, Rolling Stone, 20 Nov. 2025
She’s not ruled by her primordial urges, but incorporates them into a larger personal quest for knowledge and enlightenment.
—Katie Rife, Vulture, 9 Nov. 2025
For millennia, breath has been understood not only as the cornerstone of human life but as a path to spiritual enlightenment.
—Sean Williams, Outside, 27 Oct. 2025
In this franchise, that’s practically spiritual enlightenment.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for enlightenment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enlightenment
Noun
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Julia Mejia arguably received the most favorable committee chairmanship of Worrell’s supporters, with education.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
13 Jan. 2026
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Summit speakers explored the current landscape of business and industry across health care, child care, education, manufacturing and development sectors, by discussing trends, challenges and opportunities shaping the region’s economy.—
Marianne Love,
Daily News,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
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This exactly applies to the wines of PFV members, which are the result of knowledge and experiences passed down through generations, embodying each family’s legacy and craftsmanship.—
Yuri Shima,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
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Sometimes called Zoomers, Gen Z is the first group to join the workforce with an intimate knowledge of digital processes, including remote meetings and even artificial intelligence tools.—
Amy Lindgren,
Twin Cities,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
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But making the Super Bowl will draw him back to his junior college days, a time that followed him receiving zero scholarship offers out of high school.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
25 Jan. 2026
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Minna is rich and pretty; Flic, her follower, is a scholarship student who mimics everything her idol does a millisecond later.—
Vanessa Franko,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Enlightenment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enlightenment. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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