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
Wall Sconces or Pendant Lights Swap your floor lamps for wall sconces or pendant lights to brighten up your space.
—
Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 9 Mar. 2026
Nothing brightens a garden like the presence of birds and other wildlife, so invite them in.
—Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 8 Mar. 2026
Your 5th House of Discovery brightens as mischievous Mercury conjoins the life-giving Sun.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 2026
L’Oréal’s Age Perfect Sunscreen tones, plumps, and brightens skin with collagen peptides and niacinamide, and the SPF 30 protects your skin from new signs of aging caused by sun exposure.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for brighten
Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 9 Mar. 2026
Nothing brightens a garden like the presence of birds and other wildlife, so invite them in.
—Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 8 Mar. 2026
Your 5th House of Discovery brightens as mischievous Mercury conjoins the life-giving Sun.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 2026
L’Oréal’s Age Perfect Sunscreen tones, plumps, and brightens skin with collagen peptides and niacinamide, and the SPF 30 protects your skin from new signs of aging caused by sun exposure.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for brighten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brighten
Verb
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According to Dussault, select kitchen zones are a great example where open shelving can help lighten the cabinetry or help balance a quirky area that can’t accommodate upper cabinetry.—
Ashlyn Needham,
The Spruce,
12 Mar. 2026
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Its role is to lighten things up and dilute some of the stronger flavors a touch.—
Lizzy Briskin,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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And so begins our journey, out from the Green Monster and onto the glowing screen.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
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In a period defined by constant notifications and glowing screens, the bedroom is increasingly being redesigned as a space for intentional disconnection.—
Jacorey Moon,
Architectural Digest,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Deputies tried reviving him and called paramedics, who also treated the defendant.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
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The city is also considering reviving the poet laureate initiative, and staff have talked about doing a youth poetry slam, Mullins said.—
R. Christian Smith,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brighten. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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