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
Share a song with a friend to brighten their day.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 28 May 2026
Travel starts to brighten in the second half of the month, when Venus enters Leo on June 13 and brings a fresh, warm energy to the world around you.
—Kirah Tabourn, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 May 2026
The lightweight formula combines hyaluronic acid to quench thirsty skin, niacinamide to smooth and brighten, and the brand’s signature herbal blend—featuring ingredients like oat, calendula, and chickweed—to keep skin feeling fresh and comfortably hydrated.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 27 May 2026
Other ingredients to look for include SPF, present in Supergoop’s formula, and vitamin C, a brightening agent that’s whipped into Nerrā’s dry oil.
—Jenny Berg, Vogue, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for brighten
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Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 28 May 2026
Travel starts to brighten in the second half of the month, when Venus enters Leo on June 13 and brings a fresh, warm energy to the world around you.
—Kirah Tabourn, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 May 2026
The lightweight formula combines hyaluronic acid to quench thirsty skin, niacinamide to smooth and brighten, and the brand’s signature herbal blend—featuring ingredients like oat, calendula, and chickweed—to keep skin feeling fresh and comfortably hydrated.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 27 May 2026
Other ingredients to look for include SPF, present in Supergoop’s formula, and vitamin C, a brightening agent that’s whipped into Nerrā’s dry oil.
—Jenny Berg, Vogue, 27 May 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 31 May. 2026.
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