as in lightening
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 brightening
Support her post-grad skin with brightening serums, refillable lipsticks, and edge-control that actually holds during interviews and celebrations.
—
Larry Stansbury, Essence, 5 Sep. 2025
The pairing glimmers low in the east an hour before sunrise, fading quickly in brightening twilight.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Packed with brightening vitamin C, moisturizing vitamin E, and hyaluronic acid, Clinique’s Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator delivers deep hydration while still feeling super lightweight and refreshing.
—Allure, 30 Aug. 2025
From that happy incident emerged the brand’s Pitera complex rich in peptides, vitamins, and minerals—responsible for hydrating and brightening the skin.
—Deanna Pai, Vogue, 24 Aug. 2025
Ranging at a friendly $5 apiece, these jungle-in-a-can creations are perfect for brightening your windowsill, adorning the kitchen, or gifting to the plant-curious.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Aug. 2025
But brightening our week was the video and picture submissions from Newsweek readers of their pets.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Aug. 2025
To understand this, the researchers looked back at old archival data and discovered that before its first blast, the star had been slowly brightening for a period of about four years, an incredibly uncommon sight.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2025
After predictably dimming for multiple months, the stellar explosion inexplicably began brightening again.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 14 Aug. 2025
Larry Stansbury, Essence, 5 Sep. 2025
The pairing glimmers low in the east an hour before sunrise, fading quickly in brightening twilight.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Packed with brightening vitamin C, moisturizing vitamin E, and hyaluronic acid, Clinique’s Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator delivers deep hydration while still feeling super lightweight and refreshing.
—Allure, 30 Aug. 2025
From that happy incident emerged the brand’s Pitera complex rich in peptides, vitamins, and minerals—responsible for hydrating and brightening the skin.
—Deanna Pai, Vogue, 24 Aug. 2025
Ranging at a friendly $5 apiece, these jungle-in-a-can creations are perfect for brightening your windowsill, adorning the kitchen, or gifting to the plant-curious.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Aug. 2025
But brightening our week was the video and picture submissions from Newsweek readers of their pets.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Aug. 2025
To understand this, the researchers looked back at old archival data and discovered that before its first blast, the star had been slowly brightening for a period of about four years, an incredibly uncommon sight.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2025
After predictably dimming for multiple months, the stellar explosion inexplicably began brightening again.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 14 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brightening
Verb
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The controversial skin-lightening agent is banned in the EU, Australia, and Japan.—
Keyaira Boone,
Essence,
5 Sep. 2025
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Those who frequent salons know that lightening one's hair is much longer, more delicate process than going in the other direction, and Stone has slowly been making her way back to auburn since switching to a dark brunette shade in the summer of 2024.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The results of Scourton’s first appearance weren’t particularly glowing.—
Mike Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Sep. 2025
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There are more vibrant reds and glowing greens on heaven and earth here than are dreamed of in your typical color palette.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Now he’s been tasked by his corporate bosses with reviving the Toledo Truth Teller — with a staff that knows nothing about journalism.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
4 Sep. 2025
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Much like last year, an emphasis of training camp was reviving the deep ball — which didn’t play out.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Brightening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brightening. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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