ENLIGHTENING Synonyms: 102 Similar and Opposite Words

enlightening 1 of 2

adjective

in-ˈlīt-niŋ

Definition of enlightening

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

enlightening

2 of 2

verb

present participle of enlighten

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

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

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 enlightening

Adjective

The Secret Order was canceled after one season, but the show wasn’t exactly working in tandem with Interview With the Vampire and The Vampire Lestat, which would’ve been more interesting or at least more enlightening. — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 20 July 2026 Statistics are enlightening, but insufficient for understanding this heritage. — CBS News, 12 July 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

Summaries of their sins and absurdities have now filled several books, but a sampler is instructive.

— Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 30 Aug. 2026
What The Flows Actually Show Cordros made a second observation in that April note which has travelled less widely than its dollar range, and which is the more instructive of the two.

— Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of instructive

Verb

The Property Masters Guild aims to highlight and elevate the craft of the Property Master by raising awareness, fostering collaboration among craft artisans, educating its members and inspiring future generations of Property Masters.

— Isabelle Farina, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
Deployed as a No 10 and later as a striker, Wissa epitomised all that was good about Newcastle with his energy and drive, leaving a trail of Liverpool players in his wake in the lead-up to the second goal and generally inspiring those around him.

— Stuart James, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of inspiring

Adjective

The museum, spanning a former cell block wing, is a deeply informative and well curated journey through the evolution of the nation’s penal system.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Sep. 2026
The company also offers a family-friendly first-hand lobstering experience, an informative precursor to a waterside meal at Ogunquit Beach Lobster House.

— Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of informative

Verb

Those are police officers and people up high at CPD, literally calling me, meeting with us, telling us that morale’s at an all-time low.

— Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
Dawadi ordered those already there to leave and called bus drivers, telling them to only stop at safer places.

— ABC News, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of telling

Verb

Meilunaite found a similar path forward by educating herself on midlife health, shifting her sleep and giving her body more time to recover.

— Tabitha Britt, Flow Space, 1 Sep. 2026
As one of the world’s leading manta ray research organizations, The Manta Trust is dedicated to educating and conserving habitats for these majestic creatures.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of educating

Adjective

Horn said the real risk is that any new educational program now will age badly.

— Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
The educational initiative includes sessions and behind-the-scenes learning designed to introduce participants to careers surrounding festivals and concert production.

— Svetlana Khachiyan, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of educational

Verb

Lacking credibility While the grand jury found Hay’s testimony transparent and credible, the testimony of Jeff Aaron, the lawyer advising the Hope Florida Foundation’s board, was not, according to the report.

— Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026
Pitchers are disguising their four-seamers up with more cutters in than ever before, so just advising him to be more aggressive in the zone is not good enough.

— Eno Sarris, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of advising

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enlightened

enlightening

enlightenment

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“Enlightening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enlightening. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of enlightening

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

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