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
-
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Joseph Howlett,
Scientific American,
16 June 2026
-
Someone who inspires me with her big, beautiful heart.—
Janelle Ash,
FOXNews.com,
16 June 2026
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.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
16 June 2026
-
University Hospitals advises travelers to assume that all water in developing countries is unsafe, noting that even a luxury hotel may share the same water and sewage system as a poor neighborhood nearby.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
The cancer instructs the body to build super roadways (blood vessels) and homes (tumor cells) resistant to decay.—
Charles J. Dimitroff,
The Conversation,
12 June 2026
-
When Gustavo Dudamel instructs the Los Angeles Philharmonic to stand at a curtain call, the players stand.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Enlightens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enlightens. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
