1
as in informs
to give information to
the lecturer at the planetarium enlightened us about the latest astronomical discoveries
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
-
That philosophy informs the running brand’s product strategy, messaging and partnerships.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
18 June 2026
-
Yet the past always informs the present.—
Jill Newman,
Robb Report,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Sahas Mehra,
Scientific American,
19 June 2026
-
This surge is credited to Kiss the Ground's positive storytelling, which educates consumers on the benefits of RA.—
Andrew Watman,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
The adaptation of Georgy Demidov’s eponymous novel, set in the Soviet Union in 1937 during Stalin’s Great Purge, tells the story of a young local prosecutor and dedicated communist who starts to question his undying faith in the regime.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
18 June 2026
-
Neither tells you whether the result was any good.—
Mark Hull,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
Pay attention to who celebrates your growth, inspires you and supports your endeavors.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
21 June 2026
-
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Sahas Mehra,
Scientific American,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
To get around the closure, Caltrans District 3 advises motorists to merge onto westbound Interstate 80, take the Kidwell Road exit, turn left onto Kidwell Road and then turn left onto the eastbound Interstate 80 on-ramp.—
Daniel Lempres,
Sacbee.com,
23 June 2026
-
Don’t wait to go to a health care provider, the CDC advises.—
Kate Wong,
Scientific American,
22 June 2026
Verb
-
When Little John struggles to describe his dream girl, Robin instructs his protegee to sketch an image with words.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
-
The resolution by Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins instructs Mayor Daniella Levine Cava to pursue clawing back money from the Host Committee if the county can determine federal dollars are now paying for expenses that Miami-Dade agreed to cover with its $21 million allocation.—
Douglas Hanks
June 17,
Miami Herald,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Enlightens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enlightens. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
