enlighten
verb (used with object)
to give intellectual or spiritual light to; instruct; impart knowledge to.
was enlightening
-
past progressiveof enlighten.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The view from above was enlightening, almost clinical.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 15, 2026
Clarke has never been one to divulge his thoughts too openly, but when told Conway had scored in a friendly defeat in Istanbul, his response was enlightening.
From BBC ● Jun. 3, 2024
The whole combination of being on a set, with my history with Benoît , and to plunge into this world — I’ve never played a cook before — was enlightening, and exciting, and special.
From Salon ● Feb. 9, 2024
To see these women succeed despite a society “that’s pushing against you and a society that’s predominately male … was enlightening, encouraging and just empowering,” Holman said.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 4, 2022
The allusion of Bouncer to Jim Evans was enlightening.
From Ralph on the Overland Express The Trials and Triumphs of a Young Engineer by Allen Chapman
