1
as in informs
to give information to
the lecturer at the planetarium enlightened us about the latest astronomical discoveries
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in educates
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
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Recent Examples of enlightens
This style of theater both enlightens and entertains, each actor stepping out of the ensemble inside Kelleher’s direction that teeters on the edge of heavy-handidness without ever getting there.
—
David John Chávez, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026
The Harlem Book of the Dead, conceived and nurtured by Camille Billops, cherishes that remembrance and enlightens us as only memory can.
—Literary Hub, 17 Oct. 2025
Hopefully, that prepares them to be active and engaged citizens of the democracy that George Washington fought so hard to secure and enlightens them to do something with their lives that will make the world a better place.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 20 Aug. 2025
David John Chávez, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026
The Harlem Book of the Dead, conceived and nurtured by Camille Billops, cherishes that remembrance and enlightens us as only memory can.
—Literary Hub, 17 Oct. 2025
Hopefully, that prepares them to be active and engaged citizens of the democracy that George Washington fought so hard to secure and enlightens them to do something with their lives that will make the world a better place.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enlightens
Verb
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Several of its designers previously worked on major projects such as Aman Tokyo and The Chedi Andermatt; experience that informs the team’s warm, Asian-leaning minimalism.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
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Since then, Tanshi has set up a major wildfire monitoring and prevention system that informs locals what days are safe for burning land, which is necessary to clear bush for farming.—
Paige Bruton,
semafor.com,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
K. R. Callaway,
Scientific American,
24 Apr. 2026
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In 2019, the New York City Department of Education, which educates 900,000 children across some 1,600 schools, held a mandatory anti-bias training for all administrators.—
Steven F. Wilson,
The Atlantic,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Men, society tells us ad nauseam, are simple creatures.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
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Looking at these deals tells you that this is not a company dabbling in data centers.—
Josh Brown,Sean Russo,
CNBC,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Stephanie Pappas,
Scientific American,
21 Apr. 2026
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Paul Revere’s ride inspires us to rally behind a cause like helping war victims and to spread the word to ignite action.—
William Lambers,
The Orlando Sentinel,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Spoonemore advises pouring boiling water slowly and carefully to avoid damaging nearby plants.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
20 Apr. 2026
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The National Park Service advises keeping a safe distance of at least 50 yards and never approaching or allowing a bear to come closer.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In a will or trust, a person instructs how to distribute assets upon their death.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
18 Apr. 2026
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If the model instructs a wrist to rotate 180 degrees – physically impossible without injury – the system automatically redistributes that motion across multiple joints.—
Omar Kardoudi
April 13,
New Atlas,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Enlightens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enlightens. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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