Synonyms for enlightenment
| Grammar : Noun |
| Spell : en-lahyt-n-muh nt |
| Phonetic Transcription : ɛnˈlaɪt n mənt |
Top 10 synonyms for enlightenment
Définition of enlightenment
Origin :- 1660s, "action of enlightening," from enlighten + -ment. Used only in figurative sense, of spiritual enlightenment, etc. Attested from 1865 as a translation of German Aufklärung, a name for the spirit and system of Continental philosophers in the 18c.
- The philosophy of the Enlightenment insisted on man's essential autonomy: man is responsible to himself, to his own rational interests, to his self-development, and, by an inescapable extension, to the welfare of his fellow man. For the philosophes, man was not a sinner, at least not by nature; human nature -- and this argument was subversive, in fact revolutionary, in their day -- is by origin good, or at least neutral. Despite the undeniable power of man's antisocial passions, therefore, the individual may hope for improvement through his own efforts -- through education, participation in politics, activity in behalf of reform, but not through prayer. [Peter Gay, "The Enlightenment"]
- noun awareness, understanding
- Mary reviewed the case succinctly for the other's enlightenment.
- Extract from : « Within the Law » by Marvin Dana
- The Cherub pursed his fat round lips in a soft whistle of enlightenment.
- Extract from : « Thoroughbreds » by W. A. Fraser
- The distinguishing device of civilization and enlightenment.
- Extract from : « The Devil's Dictionary » by Ambrose Bierce
- Civilization, enlightenment,—they are vague terms, hollow sounds.
- Extract from : « Alice, or The Mysteries, Complete » by Edward Bulwer-Lytton
- And as you can see, we surround ourselves with all means of enlightenment.
- Extract from : « The Three Cities Trilogy, Complete » by Emile Zola
- His writing is of the age of enlightenment; his actions belong to romance.
- Extract from : « Shelley, Godwin and Their Circle » by H. N. Brailsford
- As the progress of enlightenment has done hitherto, so will it ever do.
- Extract from : « The International Monthly, Volume 3, No. 2, May, 1851 » by Various
- "He's in Steel," she murmured, which was no enlightenment to Maria.
- Extract from : « The Innocent Adventuress » by Mary Hastings Bradley
- This enlightenment importuned him; he tried to extinguish it and could not.
- Extract from : « The Memoirs of Louis XIV., His Court and The Regency, Complete » by Duc de Saint-Simon
- Columbus stood in his age as the pioneer of progress and enlightenment.
- Extract from : « Christopher Columbus and His Monument Columbia » by Various
Antonyms for enlightenment
Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019