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

His hometown team calling his name on the opening night of the NFL Draft a few months later brightened it. — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2026

And then the whole restaurant would have their days brightened when LeMay and Ward would burst into song, loud enough for everyone to hear. — Heath Kalb, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

The rapper’s makeup was soft and dreamy, featuring an impactful pink blush that brightened the face and pink glossy lips lined with a darker pencil for definition. — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 18 Oct. 2026

This creamy, comforting bowl is packed with sausage, potatoes, and a rich cheese broth, brightened with mustard and green onion. — Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Oct. 2026

The green is equally luscious in texture, made with chicken thigh and skin, but intensely herbaceous, brightened with parsley, cilantro, poblano and jalapeño. — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026

In its latest incarnation, designed by the firm S9, the curtain wall has darkened and the electronic billboards brightened, so that the tower resembles a TV mount, more apparatus than architecture. — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 1 Oct. 2026

In a hospital room brightened with pink balloons and flowers on Friday, the new parents were overcome with emotion. — ABC News, 11 Sep. 2026

With its Manuka honey heart, the scent is brightened by orange blossom and mandarin before settling into tonka, vanilla, and sandalwood. — Lauren Valenti, InStyle, 9 Sep. 2026