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-Matar
Examples 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
California’s water outlook has brightened for now, but salmon and other fish are still in peril.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2024
Fresh strawberries, both inside and out, make the strawberry pie extra summery, and a little sprinkle of lemon zest brightens up each bite.
—Joy Howard, Southern Living, 30 Mar. 2024
The show’s centerpiece is a triptych that shifts as usual from red to yellow to blue, but the colors are cascades of drips deepened by blacks and brightened by flashes of white.
—Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024
Select warm brass finishes for accessories like cabinet hardware and light fixtures to brighten the dark shade.
—Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Mar. 2024
The formula is also another noteworthy option for sensitive skin types, as its gentle enough to brighten, tone, and clarify without causing irritation.
—Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 25 Mar. 2024
That’s because it's formulated with nourishing oils and other skin-friendly ingredients to not only make your makeup go the distance, but instantly brighten your face in the process.
—Alexandra Domrongchai, Travel + Leisure, 24 Mar. 2024
Scientists have known for decades that the particles in the polluting tracks left by ships, which look much like the contrails seen behind planes, can brighten existing clouds.
—Sabrina Weiss, WIRED, 20 Mar. 2024
Hello Sunshine Doormat to brighten up your front door or the one out to your patio.
—Melissa Epifano, Peoplemag, 24 Mar. 2024
Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2024
Fresh strawberries, both inside and out, make the strawberry pie extra summery, and a little sprinkle of lemon zest brightens up each bite.
—Joy Howard, Southern Living, 30 Mar. 2024
The show’s centerpiece is a triptych that shifts as usual from red to yellow to blue, but the colors are cascades of drips deepened by blacks and brightened by flashes of white.
—Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024
Select warm brass finishes for accessories like cabinet hardware and light fixtures to brighten the dark shade.
—Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Mar. 2024
The formula is also another noteworthy option for sensitive skin types, as its gentle enough to brighten, tone, and clarify without causing irritation.
—Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 25 Mar. 2024
That’s because it's formulated with nourishing oils and other skin-friendly ingredients to not only make your makeup go the distance, but instantly brighten your face in the process.
—Alexandra Domrongchai, Travel + Leisure, 24 Mar. 2024
Scientists have known for decades that the particles in the polluting tracks left by ships, which look much like the contrails seen behind planes, can brighten existing clouds.
—Sabrina Weiss, WIRED, 20 Mar. 2024
Hello Sunshine Doormat to brighten up your front door or the one out to your patio.
—Melissa Epifano, Peoplemag, 24 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'brighten.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near brighten
Cite this Entry
“Brighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brighten. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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