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
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Recent Examples of enlightenment
Not only with beauty, of course; impatient rulers liked that Vajrayana promised enlightenment in one lifetime, as opposed to the usual Buddhist dozens, and Kublai Khan spread its teachings as far as his horsemen could ride.
—
Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 2 Jan. 2025
Like a Buddha that meditated too deeply and passed over enlightenment on the way to raving insanity, modern art had destroyed itself through excessive, nihilistic contemplation.
—Dean Kissick, Harper's Magazine, 2 Dec. 2024
Like most red-blooded Americans, Fukuyama rejected the sour realist theory of international relations, which sees history not as a progression toward enlightenment and peace but as a cycle of conflict.
—Richard K. Betts, Foreign Affairs, 21 Oct. 2010
With each revolution, the camera enters a darkened space, filled with visual noise, before emerging back into the light near the dwelling’s door, as if to achieve a form of temporary enlightenment before losing it again.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 25 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for enlightenment 
Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 2 Jan. 2025
Like a Buddha that meditated too deeply and passed over enlightenment on the way to raving insanity, modern art had destroyed itself through excessive, nihilistic contemplation.
—Dean Kissick, Harper's Magazine, 2 Dec. 2024
Like most red-blooded Americans, Fukuyama rejected the sour realist theory of international relations, which sees history not as a progression toward enlightenment and peace but as a cycle of conflict.
—Richard K. Betts, Foreign Affairs, 21 Oct. 2010
With each revolution, the camera enters a darkened space, filled with visual noise, before emerging back into the light near the dwelling’s door, as if to achieve a form of temporary enlightenment before losing it again.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 25 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for enlightenment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enlightenment
Noun
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With some Black History Month activities being scaled back by the federal government, history and education organizations are ramping up efforts to fill the void.—
Deborah Barfield Berry,
USA TODAY,
11 Feb. 2025
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With the rise of Black education through HBCUs, vocational schools, and trade programs, Black women began to leverage their expertise in home economics into entrepreneurial ventures.—
Essence,
Essence,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Food and Drug Administration employees reviewing Elon Musk’s brain implant company Neuralink were fired over the weekend as part of a broader purge of the federal workforce, according to two sources with knowledge of the matter.—
Rachael Levy and Marisa Taylor,
USA TODAY,
18 Feb. 2025
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The morning after dealing Dončić, Harrison addressed his team in Cleveland, sources with knowledge of the meeting told The Athletic.—
C. Clark, M. Vorkunov and F. Katz,
The Athletic,
17 Feb. 2025
Noun
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As depicted in Ryan Murphy’s Netflix series, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, José, attending Southern Illinois University on a swimming scholarship, met blond beauty queen Mary Louise Andersen, a lively communications major two years his senior who everyone called Kitty.—
Roy Trakin,
The Hollywood Reporter,
8 Feb. 2025
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Elgin Area Chamber offering eight college scholarships The Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce and its economic development program, Elgin Development Group, are offering eight $1,000 scholarships to graduating high school seniors pursuing further education.—
Mike Danahey,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near enlightenment
Cite this Entry
“Enlightenment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enlightenment. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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