enlighten
verb
en·light·en
in-ˈlī-tᵊn 
en-
enlightened; enlightening
in-ˈlīt-niŋ
-ˈlī-tᵊn-iŋ,
en-
1
a
: to furnish knowledge to : instruct
enlightened us about the problem
b
: to give spiritual insight to
2
archaic
: illuminate
Synonyms
Examples of enlighten in a Sentence
I don't understand what's going on; can someone please enlighten me?
the lecturer at the planetarium enlightened us about the latest astronomical discoveries
Recent Examples on the Web
And then the question arises of whether the alteration between the enchanted and the enlightened is really the historical one proposed by Taylor’s Hegelian model, with its emphasis on an unfolding one-way plot, or, rather, a permanent tension in all literate times.
—
Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 17 June 2024
Perhaps the budget office can enlighten us or perhaps someone should investigate further.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 4 Mar. 2024
Think carefully about how your content will educate, entertain, or enlighten.
—Jon Stojan, The Arizona Republic, 12 June 2024
There is, no doubt, a long thought process there — thin walls, noise, light sleepers, a medical condition Miss Manners has not yet heard of, about which someone would like to enlighten her.
—Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 6 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for enlighten 
Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 17 June 2024
Perhaps the budget office can enlighten us or perhaps someone should investigate further.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 4 Mar. 2024
Think carefully about how your content will educate, entertain, or enlighten.
—Jon Stojan, The Arizona Republic, 12 June 2024
There is, no doubt, a long thought process there — thin walls, noise, light sleepers, a medical condition Miss Manners has not yet heard of, about which someone would like to enlighten her.
—Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 6 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for enlighten
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'enlighten.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near enlighten
Cite this Entry
“Enlighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enlighten. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
enlighten
verb
en·light·en
in-ˈlīt-ᵊn
enlightened; enlightening
-ˈlīt-niŋ
-ᵊn-iŋ
: to give knowledge or understanding to : instruct
enlightened us about the problem
enlightenment
noun
-ᵊn-mənt
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