1
as in to inform
to give information to
the lecturer at the planetarium enlightened us about the latest astronomical discoveries
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to educate
to provide (someone) with moral or spiritual understanding
many people around the world have been enlightened by the teachings of Gautama Buddha
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of enlighten
One of the enlightened, somebody named Mike Freiberg, a DFL representative out Golden Valley way, had the audacity to author a bill that would reduce by 10 percent the aid sent by the state to any city that does not the fly the enlightened flag.
—
Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, 2 May 2026
The intention of Guay and his small circle of advisers appears to have been to obscure, not enlighten.
—Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 2 May 2026
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
His work commonly explores how the text of Islamic tradition can enlighten the present and vice versa.
—André Munro, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for enlighten
Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, 2 May 2026
The intention of Guay and his small circle of advisers appears to have been to obscure, not enlighten.
—Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 2 May 2026
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
His work commonly explores how the text of Islamic tradition can enlighten the present and vice versa.
—André Munro, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for enlighten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enlighten
Verb
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But another four or five weeks of games can inform Weiss and Anthopoulos’ own answer.—
Ken Sugiura,
AJC.com,
16 June 2026
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McGregor Scott, Williamson’s attorney, said he had not been informed of any other investigations involving his client.—
Lia Russell,
Sacbee.com,
16 June 2026
Verb
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His agent, a Ghanaian called Alex Quaye, was a banker by profession, having been educated in the United States at the University of Charleston.—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
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SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Joseph Howlett,
Scientific American,
16 June 2026
Verb
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An Israeli source told CNN that Netanyahu has also privately blamed Kushner and Witkoff for creating a wedge between the two leaders.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
15 June 2026
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There must be something magical about Block Island after all, but only time will tell if that magic will extend to Jo-Ellen and Rulla, who still doubts that Jo-Ellen’s proof was well-meaning.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
15 June 2026
Verb
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Thomas Tuchel was appointed with the simple task of coaching England to a World Cup win, and England showed early signs of his tactical acumen, but also his ability to inspire his players.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
19 June 2026
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Serving East African street food inspired by husband-and-wife owners Hamissi Mamba and Nadia Nijimbere’s native Burundi, Waka delivers African flavors in small bites.—
USA TODAY Network,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
Verb
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Anyone who may have been exposed to measles should first determine whether they have been vaccinated against measles by checking their immunization records, the public health department advised.—
Connor Sheets,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
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Jon Hyman, chair of the employment and labor practice at the Wickens Herzer Panza law firm, advises his clients to trust individual managers to work out arrangements on a case-by-case basis.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
14 June 2026
Verb
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Before the opening of SoFi Stadium’s gates, a security official from the security contractor CSC told The Athletic that he had been instructed — and had, in turn, instructed all of his staffers — to not let fans enter with flags bearing any Iranian pre-revolution imagery.—
Henry Bushnell,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
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The letters instruct recipients to return any paper citizenship certificates while the review is underway.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Enlighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enlighten. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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