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
Teal accessories brighten the look. 04 of 14 Periwinkle + White + Silver
Teaming pale blue with white is a no-fail formula for a soothing bathroom.
—Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Apr. 2024
As such, this multitasker consolidates the essential steps of an ideal morning skin-care routine—think brightening serum, hydration, and sunscreen—with just a few pumps.
—Kathleen Suico, Allure, 13 Apr. 2024
Tall ceilings impart an open feeling to the upstairs dining area and plants brighten the space.
—The Arizona Republic, 10 Apr. 2024
The 165 rooms are fairly minimal in style, but they’re all brightened by prints and lithographs that reinforce the property’s artsy bonafides.
—Chadner Navarro, Travel + Leisure, 9 Apr. 2024
In September, colorful murals brightened the sides of the dark building at 827 Logan St., surrounded by overgrown trees, gravel lots, and, to the left, a crumbling brick building.
—Amanda Hancock, The Courier-Journal, 5 Apr. 2024
During these outbursts, the comet brightened and spewed clouds of gas and icy debris.
—USA TODAY, 2 Apr. 2024
But in the Best Way Dew-Glow contains skin-loving ingredients like squalane for hydration, niacinamide to even tone, and vitamin C to help brighten and fend off free radicals.
—Kathleen Suico, Allure, 13 Apr. 2024
Lime Zest & Matcha Classic Candle $48.00 This award-winning candle by Nest will boost her energy and brighten her mood with this scented candle featuring invigorating notes of lime zest, green tea, clary sage and bergamot.
—Nora Colomer, Fox News, 12 Apr. 2024
Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Apr. 2024
As such, this multitasker consolidates the essential steps of an ideal morning skin-care routine—think brightening serum, hydration, and sunscreen—with just a few pumps.
—Kathleen Suico, Allure, 13 Apr. 2024
Tall ceilings impart an open feeling to the upstairs dining area and plants brighten the space.
—The Arizona Republic, 10 Apr. 2024
The 165 rooms are fairly minimal in style, but they’re all brightened by prints and lithographs that reinforce the property’s artsy bonafides.
—Chadner Navarro, Travel + Leisure, 9 Apr. 2024
In September, colorful murals brightened the sides of the dark building at 827 Logan St., surrounded by overgrown trees, gravel lots, and, to the left, a crumbling brick building.
—Amanda Hancock, The Courier-Journal, 5 Apr. 2024
During these outbursts, the comet brightened and spewed clouds of gas and icy debris.
—USA TODAY, 2 Apr. 2024
But in the Best Way Dew-Glow contains skin-loving ingredients like squalane for hydration, niacinamide to even tone, and vitamin C to help brighten and fend off free radicals.
—Kathleen Suico, Allure, 13 Apr. 2024
Lime Zest & Matcha Classic Candle $48.00 This award-winning candle by Nest will boost her energy and brighten her mood with this scented candle featuring invigorating notes of lime zest, green tea, clary sage and bergamot.
—Nora Colomer, Fox News, 12 Apr. 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 2 May. 2024.
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