enlightenment
noun
en·light·en·ment
in-ˈlī-tᵊn-mənt 
en-
1
: the act or means of enlightening : the state of being enlightened
2
capitalized
: a philosophical movement of the 18th century marked by a rejection of traditional social, religious, and political ideas and an emphasis on rationalism
—used with the
3
Buddhism
: a final blessed state marked by the absence of desire or suffering
Examples of enlightenment in a Sentence
the search for spiritual enlightenment
His comments failed to provide enlightenment.
the enlightenment of the public through education
Recent Examples on the Web
Timothy Ratliff learned to cling to family, but his family is awful, especially since Piper, who started the season as the moral Ratliff, learned she can’t be bothered to find enlightenment if enlightenment doesn’t have better organic catering.
—
Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2025
The great irony is that of all the people who go to Thailand to seek spiritual enlightenment of some kind, Timothy is the one who is least interested in any of that.
—Zoe Papelis, Vulture, 31 Mar. 2025
It is believed that the Buddha found enlightenment while sitting under a fig tree.
—The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2025
For the first time since the late 1800s, the planet of dreams will transit your sign, encouraging you to trust your inner voice and embrace a path toward your spiritual enlightenment.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for enlightenment
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Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2025
The great irony is that of all the people who go to Thailand to seek spiritual enlightenment of some kind, Timothy is the one who is least interested in any of that.
—Zoe Papelis, Vulture, 31 Mar. 2025
It is believed that the Buddha found enlightenment while sitting under a fig tree.
—The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2025
For the first time since the late 1800s, the planet of dreams will transit your sign, encouraging you to trust your inner voice and embrace a path toward your spiritual enlightenment.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for enlightenment
Cite this Entry
“Enlightenment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enlightenment. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
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