enlightenment

noun

Definition of enlightenmentnext
as in education
the process by which one gains a greater understanding of something The teacher's supplementary notes did provide some enlightenment on the difficult material. Those seeking enlightenment on Eastern philosophy should sign up for the class.

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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 enlightenment Jack Kerouac sought enlightenment there; his compatriot Neal Cassady was imprisoned there, in San Quentin. — Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026 What results is a breathless biography of one man’s quest for scientific enlightenment in the age of AI. — Monitor Reviewers, Christian Science Monitor, 10 Aug. 2026 Edible enlightenment from our eatery experts and colleagues Monie Begley, Richard Nalley and Randall Lane, as well as brothers Bob, Kip and Tim. — Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026 At his teacher’s direction, Pannakara traveled to Myanmar between 2018 and 2020 to study and practice Vipassana meditation, an ancient technique taught by the Buddha himself as core for attaining enlightenment. — Deepa Bharath, Fortune, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for enlightenment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enlightenment
  1. education
  2. knowledge
  3. scholarship
Noun
  • The union argues that income limits topping $500,000 in parts of the state make it more a tax break for the wealthy than an education program.
    — Lara Murray-Sterzel, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Its eventual deployment could help the university explore how emerging aircraft fit into policing, emergency management, and engineering education.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of education
Noun
  • White’s lyrics are bittersweet pinpricks, his keening vocals already in mourning of childhood’s end—of responsibility, of bathing yourself, in so many words, knowledge of death.
    — Ryan Meehan, Pitchfork, 26 Oct. 2026
  • In the conversation, Griffin asked the person to use that influence to deny admission to Rosman’s children, the person with direct knowledge of their conversation said.
    — Ben Smith, semafor.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of knowledge
Noun
  • The foundation has raised more than $30,000 to be awarded in scholarships and $26,000 to be distributed to community causes.
    — Samantha Bergeson, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Governors must opt in each year for students in their state to receive scholarships, though taxpayers anywhere can donate to SGOs in participating states.
    — Lara Murray-Sterzel, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of scholarship

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Cite this Entry

“Enlightenment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enlightenment. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on enlightenment

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about enlightenment

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