enlightens

verb

present tense third-person singular of enlighten
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

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 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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enlightens
  1. informs
  2. educates
  3. tells
  4. inspires
  5. advises
  6. instructs
Verb
  • Trump views it in zero-sum terms, as a thing the strong seize from the weak—a view that informs his constant desire to steal natural resources from smaller countries.
    — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026
  • This was my strategy throughout the book and informs my citational practices as well.
    — Tim Brinkhof, JSTOR Daily, 8 July 2026
Definition of informs
Verb
  • On the continent is an elite war college that educates healers, soldiers, scribes, and — most famously — dragon riders.
    — Janey Wetzel, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026
  • Texas, which educates roughly 1 in 10 of the nation's public school students, has been at the forefront of a charge by conservatives to incorporate more religion into classrooms.
    — JAMIE STENGLE, Arkansas Online, 27 June 2026
Definition of educates
Verb
  • Knowing that a visitor asked three questions about security, spent time on your enterprise plan and then left without booking a demo tells you everything about what to do next.
    — Suyash Karn, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
  • The film, directed by award-winning filmmaker Bao Nguyen, in part tells the story of how CEO Matt Mullenweg founded what became Automattic, a company rooted in the philosophy of open-source software.
    — Todd Spangler, Variety, 8 July 2026
Definition of tells
Verb
  • Mars and Uranus’ alignment inspires you to follow your passions, but be mindful of the risks involved!
    — USA TODAY, USA Today, 4 July 2026
  • That being said, be sure to pay attention to what’s pushing your buttons, but also recognize what finally inspires you to charge ahead.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026
Definition of inspires
Verb
  • To minimize risks during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) advises incorporating frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 9 July 2026
  • To minimize risks during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) advises incorporating frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of advises
Verb
  • The commission resolution, approved June 26 with Commissioner Miguel Gabela absent, instructs City Attorney George Wysong to explore legal avenues to blunt Live Local’s impact on the city, including potentially suing the state.
    — Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026
  • In addition, the memo instructs the EPA to consider easing some civil enforcement against people who repair their own vehicles in good faith and restore them to their original operating condition.
    — Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 June 2026
Definition of instructs

Browse Nearby Words

enlightenment
enlightens
enlist
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Cite this Entry

“Enlightens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enlightens. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on enlightens

Nglish: Translation of enlightens for Spanish Speakers

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