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
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Recent Examples of brighten
Chicken and rice is a satisfying choice for brightening anyone's day.
—
Emma Ashe, Southern Living, 27 Oct. 2025
In the slowly brightening light about a half-hour before sunrise Sunday at Del Mar Racetrack, a jockey wearing a white windbreaker climbed aboard a bay 3-year-old colt for the first time.
—Jay Posner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025
Others recalled seeing them in one of their vehicles with the dogs, but that was years ago too, as was their last appearance at Jinja, a restaurant Gene once partly owned with the aforementioned Doug; Gene’s paintings still brighten the walls.
—Joy Williams, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, economic attitudes among young voters have brightened slightly, though dissatisfaction remains high.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brighten
Emma Ashe, Southern Living, 27 Oct. 2025
In the slowly brightening light about a half-hour before sunrise Sunday at Del Mar Racetrack, a jockey wearing a white windbreaker climbed aboard a bay 3-year-old colt for the first time.
—Jay Posner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025
Others recalled seeing them in one of their vehicles with the dogs, but that was years ago too, as was their last appearance at Jinja, a restaurant Gene once partly owned with the aforementioned Doug; Gene’s paintings still brighten the walls.
—Joy Williams, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, economic attitudes among young voters have brightened slightly, though dissatisfaction remains high.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brighten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brighten
Verb
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That’s why engineers at The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) have developed a soft robotic exoskeleton that doesn’t just assist motion, but lightens the load, literally.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Oct. 2025
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In the year since, Walmart has worked repeatedly to lighten costs on its employees and consumers where possible, such as extending a year-round 10% discount to employees to combat the wider impacts of tariffs.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Shaped like glowing maple leaves, the six-piece set brings all the cozy fall vibes while brightening up driveways, walkways, and garden paths.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Oct. 2025
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The Emerald Cave glows bright green when sunlight hits the water just right.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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So began the journey to revive the world of Pablo Sanchez and his team of backyard athletes.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
28 Oct. 2025
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Dramatic footage shows the infant unresponsive as officers performed CPR to revive her.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Brighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brighten. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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