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View synonyms for enlighten

enlighten

[ en-lahyt-n ]

verb (used with object)

  1. to give intellectual or spiritual light to; instruct; impart knowledge to:

    We hope the results of our research will enlighten our colleagues.

    Synonyms: inform, teach, edify, illumine

    Antonyms: puzzle, perplex, confuse, mystify

  2. Archaic. to shed light upon.


enlighten

/ ɪnˈlaɪtən /

verb

  1. to give information or understanding to; instruct; edify
  2. to free from ignorance, prejudice, or superstition
  3. to give spiritual or religious revelation to
  4. poetic.
    to shed light on


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Derived Forms

  • enˈlightening, adjective
  • enˈlightener, noun

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Other Words From

  • en·light·ened·ly adverb
  • en·light·ened·ness noun
  • en·light·en·er noun
  • non·en·light·ened adjective
  • pre·en·light·en verb (used with object)
  • pre·en·light·en·er noun
  • re·en·light·en verb (used with object)
  • un·en·light·ened adjective
  • well-en·light·ened adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of enlighten1

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English enli(g)htenen; en- 1, lighten 1

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Example Sentences

This guide is meant to enlighten your search for the best night-vision goggles.

Chastened by the realities laid bare by the pandemic, a lot of companies are embracing fresh-start affirmations and promising newly enlightened, gentler, more equitable workplaces.

From Quartz

Gradually, Momo grows enlightened to the oppression of androids, connecting the dots between a surgery she had as a child and the disappearance of her childhood best friend.

If you care even a little bit about New York City — and possibly even if you don’t — this book will enlighten and quite possibly thrill you.

The shame and sorrow these young women suffer in the 1890s is not so different from what women trying to get pregnant — or end a pregnancy — endure in our own supposedly enlightened era.

Maybe some of you Brits who followed me over from the dear old Graun could enlighten.

Creator Rod Serling was compelled by the need “not to just entertain but to enlighten.”

With Sinclair as our non-judgmental guide, we see that these revelations are not meant to shock us but, perhaps, enlighten us.

They're supposed to give audiences hope and enlighten them while promoting positive emotions.

Can someone please enlighten me: is Girls supposed to be serious?

We certainly do intend to deal fairly with Liberia, and give the reader every information that may tend to enlighten them.

Jack shivered as he recalled the Rev. Charles Mason's picture of that home, but he would not enlighten her.

Juana, too late aware of our laws and habits and administrative customs, did not enlighten her husband soon enough.

Sensible and peaceable people enlighten themselves; their light spreads itself gradually, and in time reaches the people.

Man is so little enlightened to-day only because we had the precaution or the good fortune to enlighten him little by little.

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