brightened; brightening
ˈbrīt-niŋ 
ˈbrī-tᵊn-iŋ
1
: to make bright or brighter
you brightened my day
2
: to enhance or intensify the flavor of (food) especially by adding an acidic element (such as citrus juice or vinegar)
Crisp lemon slices brighten smoky bacon and rosemary-infused trout.—
Melissa Roberts-Matar
Melissa Roberts-MatarExamples of brighten in a Sentence
He brightened the picture on the television.
Flowers can brighten any room.
The good news brightened her mood.
The sky brightened after the storm.
Business prospects brightened last month.
Her face brightened in relief when she heard that he was not hurt.
Recent Examples on the Web
Others recalled seeing them in one of their vehicles with the dogs, but that was years ago too, as was their last appearance at Jinja, a restaurant Gene once partly owned with the aforementioned Doug; Gene’s paintings still brighten the walls.
—Joy Williams, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, economic attitudes among young voters have brightened slightly, though dissatisfaction remains high.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Bittersweet Oud uses citrus to brighten the polarizing ingredient; Roasted Vanilla tempers its typical sweetness with the warmth of oak and cognac; and Iris Root, our favorite of the three, adds a peppery zest to the creamy ingredient so often used in barbershop tonics and other men’s scents.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2025
This number one-selling electric toothbrush is equipped with four cleansing modes to whiten and brighten your teeth over time, plus eight replacement heads for convenience.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brighten
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Joy Williams, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, economic attitudes among young voters have brightened slightly, though dissatisfaction remains high.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Bittersweet Oud uses citrus to brighten the polarizing ingredient; Roasted Vanilla tempers its typical sweetness with the warmth of oak and cognac; and Iris Root, our favorite of the three, adds a peppery zest to the creamy ingredient so often used in barbershop tonics and other men’s scents.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2025
This number one-selling electric toothbrush is equipped with four cleansing modes to whiten and brighten your teeth over time, plus eight replacement heads for convenience.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brighten
Cite this Entry
“Brighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brighten. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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