BRIGHTEN Synonyms: 22 Similar and Opposite Words

brighten

verb

ˈbrī-tᵊn

Definition of brighten

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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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of brighten From shoes to jackets, these presents are sure to brighten her holidays. — Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 5 Nov. 2026 Rounding out the formula is kakadu plum seed oil, rich in vitamin C, to brighten overall tone. — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 5 Nov. 2026 The Taurid meteor shower is upon us, bringing multiple peaks of activity that could see spectacular shooting stars and fireballs brighten November's sky. — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 4 Nov. 2026 The light tan background brightens up darker decks and porches. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for brighten

Recent Examples of Synonyms for brighten

Verb

Hamilton also recommends incorporating bond-repair products into your routine, particularly for clients whose hair was previously lightened.

— Marci Robin, Allure, 2 Nov. 2026
With that in mind, Haug suggests requesting balayage, a freehand hair-coloring technique that lightens strands without using foils, and looks a little more natural compared to traditional highlights.

— Jacqueline Kilikita, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of lighten

Verb

What's particularly interesting and endearing about this feature is that while previous implementations of the glowing logo relied on an existing screen backlight, OLED panels (which use self-emitting pixels) need no backlight.

— Joe Osborne, PC Magazine, 5 Nov. 2026
Russian media outlets later reported a blaze at Ryazan oil refinery, sharing pictures of plumes of smoke and the night sky glowing red.

— Derek Gatopoulos, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of glow

Verb

The split vote to kill the tolls sent shockwaves all the way to Raleigh, putting the entire Charlotte region in state lawmakers’ crosshairs before the highway project was ultimately revived in September.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 2 Nov. 2026
The name revives the original Little Shop, opened at Raffles Singapore in the 1940s.

— Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of revive

Browse Nearby Words

bright

brighten

brightened

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“Brighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brighten. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of brighten

verb

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