Synonyms of brightened

brightened 1 of 2

adjective

as in illuminated

filled with much light

the brightened room is now a much more cheerful place for the recuperating patients

Synonyms & Similar Words

• illuminated
• illumined
• lit
• light
• bright
• alight
• highlighted
• lightsome
• shiny
• ablaze
• ignited
• spotlighted
• sunny
• kindled
• sunshiny
• sunlit
• moonlit
• floodlit

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• darkened
• dark
• blackened
• dimmed
• dusk
• dusky
• gloomy
• unlit
• somber
• lightless
• darkish
• darkling
• pitch-black
• pitch-dark
• obscured
• cloudy
• shadowy
• gray
• pale
• murky
• tenebrous
• leaden
• sunless
• shadowlike
• lightproof

brightened

2 of 2

verb

past tense of brighten

as in lightened

to become glad or hopeful

the glum soccer player started to brighten upon being told that his injury would not jeopardize his career

Synonyms & Similar Words

• lightened
• glowed
• revived
• looked up
• cheered (up)
• encouraged
• sparkled
• perked (up)
• rejoiced
• beamed
• radiated
• bucked up
• gladdened
• heartened
• livened (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• darkened
• saddened
• despaired
• brooded
• fretted
• desponded
• moped

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of brightened

Verb

Around that time, the comet experienced a large outburst, which brightened it about 8,000 times. — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 12 Aug. 2026

My whole life, my father had brightened at the sight of me, laughed at my jokes, and advised my brother, three years younger, to follow my example. — Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 2026

In photos shared by The Daily Mail, Hadid brightened up her Parisian Sunday excursion with a pair of flowy butter yellow slacks and a semi-sheer white T-shirt that showed off a white bra underneath. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 10 Aug. 2026

Kristin opened her mouth a little, not to speak, and the angel brightened, and the man’s voice got farther away. — Gabriel Winslow-Yost, New Yorker, 30 July 2026

Much of the route ran beside a long wall covered in street art, which brightened the otherwise industrial surroundings. — David Nikel, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

Here, the menu runs from light ricotta ravioli brightened with lemon to a suckling pig dressed with achiote, sweet potatoes, and marjoram. — Meagan Drillinger, Travel + Leisure, 13 July 2026

Her rich brunette color was brightened with shimmering, blonde highlights that were especially apparent in her half-up braid crown. — Marci Robin, Allure, 6 July 2026

The scale of recent left-wing victories in New York brightened the spotlight on progressive Democrats everywhere, especially in politically competitive states. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 1 July 2026