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
This rich moisturizer features a natural vitamin C complex—potentially sourced from Kakadu plum, Irish Sea moss, and tremella mushroom extract—to brighten and hydrate skin simultaneously.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 20 Mar. 2026
The imposing exterior, made of natural Caribbean limestone and coral stone, is brightened up with turquoise gates and terrace railing.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2026
Conditions brighten Friday as warmer air moves in, with highs climbing into the 50s to low 60s, particularly where the snowpack has already melted.
—Joseph Dames, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
More than a body moisturizer, Crepe Control Tightening Body Cream is a transforming treatment, packed with peptides plus lifting and brightening agents to visibly tighten and even skin tone.
—Tory Johnson, ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for brighten
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Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 20 Mar. 2026
The imposing exterior, made of natural Caribbean limestone and coral stone, is brightened up with turquoise gates and terrace railing.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2026
Conditions brighten Friday as warmer air moves in, with highs climbing into the 50s to low 60s, particularly where the snowpack has already melted.
—Joseph Dames, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
More than a body moisturizer, Crepe Control Tightening Body Cream is a transforming treatment, packed with peptides plus lifting and brightening agents to visibly tighten and even skin tone.
—Tory Johnson, ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for brighten
Cite this Entry
“Brighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brighten. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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