as in to lighten
to become glad or hopeful
the glum soccer player started to brighten upon being told that his injury would not jeopardize his career
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Recent Examples of brighten
Commoditization at the bottom of a market brightens the halo at the top.
—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
23 June 2026
Conversations brighten and slow down in the best way, inviting patient clarity with a more neighborly tone today.
—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 June 2026
These plants will brighten your garden with a stunning succession of charming pink blooms.
—
Samantha Johnson,
Martha Stewart,
21 June 2026
And then there was the Countess of Caledon, with a low updo and lips painted in an elegant mauve shade that brightens her smile.
—
Laura Scafati,
Vanity Fair,
20 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for brighten
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
23 June 2026
Conversations brighten and slow down in the best way, inviting patient clarity with a more neighborly tone today.
—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 June 2026
These plants will brighten your garden with a stunning succession of charming pink blooms.
—
Samantha Johnson,
Martha Stewart,
21 June 2026
And then there was the Countess of Caledon, with a low updo and lips painted in an elegant mauve shade that brightens her smile.
—
Laura Scafati,
Vanity Fair,
20 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for brighten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brighten
Verb
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Simultaneously lighten your load and elevate your look with this sleek crossbody bag from Peacocktion.
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Dark green foliage lightens toward the branch tips.
Verb
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Akin to a snake shedding its skin, the TikToker would peel the finished mask from their face to reveal a bouncy, glowing complexion.
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As far as Lendeborg’s on-the-court fit with the Warriors, Butler gave a glowing assessment.
Verb
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The latest tensions have revived memories of the xenophobic violence of 2008, which killed at least 62 people and displaced thousands.
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In May of this year, Washington revived the original 2020 proposal and reopened it for public comment.
Cite this Entry
“Brighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brighten. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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