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

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

Themes return altered by what has happened to them, darkened or brightened, fragmented or reconciled. — Literary Hub, 10 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

Plus, the color payoff is very impressive—after just one swipe its orangey-nude color complemented my tan, and brightened my complexion. — Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 30 June 2026

The walls are brightened by her collection of Flow Blue porcelain plates. — Nancy Vienneau, Southern Living, 27 June 2026