as in instructive
providing useful information or knowledge
an enlightening pamphlet about the major changes that consumers can expect from their cable and Internet service providers
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in informing
to give information to
the lecturer at the planetarium enlightened us about the latest astronomical discoveries
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in inspiring
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
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Recent Examples of enlightening
Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 3 Apr. 2026
The series’ ad nauseam repetition, its pat dialogue laying bare its themes and episode titles reaffirming those ideas, feel like a desperate, and ultimately failed, attempt to prove to us — or maybe to itself — that Imperfect Women actually has something enlightening to say.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026
Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
Beto O’Rourke, thank you so much for joining The David Frum Show and for enlightening us about Texas today.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for enlightening
Adjective
Some of the civilian submissions have been enlightening.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 3 Apr. 2026
The series’ ad nauseam repetition, its pat dialogue laying bare its themes and episode titles reaffirming those ideas, feel like a desperate, and ultimately failed, attempt to prove to us — or maybe to itself — that Imperfect Women actually has something enlightening to say.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026
Verb
But Taraborrelli believes that revisiting a moment in time when Jackson and his music became a cultural phenomenon, as well as enlightening new generations to his otherworldliness as an entertainer, should be a reason for unity.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
Beto O’Rourke, thank you so much for joining The David Frum Show and for enlightening us about Texas today.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for enlightening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enlightening
Adjective
-
The failures are instructive, too.—
Phil Blair,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The late-1990s dot-com boom is instructive.—
Perrie M. Weiner,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The legislation requires employers with more than 100 full-time employees to file a 60-day notice informing employees and government officials of upcoming layoffs.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
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After informing her choir teacher about what happened, a nurse was informed who then called the girl's parents.—
Daniel McFadin,
Arkansas Online,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Still, the whale’s plight has captured imaginations, even inspiring protests in Germany to urge authorities not to give up on the animal.—
K. R. Callaway,
Scientific American,
30 Apr. 2026
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Architecture & Archaeology The Mundo Maya region has arguably the most impressive archaeological sites in all of the world, rivaling even the awe-inspiring pyramids of Egypt.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
This excursion was informative and entertaining, and focused on the intricacies and dangers of fishing off the coast of Alaska.—
Aaron Saunders,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Apr. 2026
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The book is lyrically written and highly informative, diving deep into the common threads and tropes of estrangement in search of clarity.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Like Flores and Natal, Kaik found that the company, York Service & Towing, would only take cash, telling her that sometimes, people would pay with a credit card then cancel the card before payment went through.—
Ginny Monk,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
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Shortly after telling her to contact security, Alvarez arrived upstairs.—
Alex Gurley,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Fort Worth police also started a campaign in June 2025 to increase patrols in downtown and began educating people about the problem of loud noise.—
Harrison Mantas,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Apr. 2026
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While educating the audience on the world of tea, Creane tells a haunting personal story of losing her emotionally distant father to cancer and seeing up close the collapse of polar ice sheets due to climate change.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The other, extending protections to educational institutions, was vetoed.—
Elliot Cosgrove,
New York Daily News,
27 Apr. 2026
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The information provided is for educational purposes and should not be construed as financial, investment or trading advice.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In a letter sent Wednesday to TotalEnergies and provided to The Associated Press, Huffman and Raskin are letting the company know that Democrats have begun an investigation, are demanding documents and communications and are advising the CEO not to take the money.—
Jennifer McDermott,
Fortune,
29 Apr. 2026
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For women with dense tissue, the ACP says 3D mammography may be considered as a supplement, while advising against routine MRI or ultrasound for average-risk individuals.—
Allison Palmer,
Miami Herald,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Enlightening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enlightening. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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