brightened 1 of 2

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 brightened
Verb
The lightened and brightened interiors showcase wide-plank light oak floors, textured plaster walls, designer lighting, and French doors that open seamlessly to the outdoors. — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 9 Nov. 2026 And following the midterm elections that gave climate-friendly Democrats control of the House and Senate, the prospects of reviving the clean energy agenda suddenly brightened. — Bob Woods, CNBC, 7 Nov. 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brightened
Adjective
  • In the legendary shopping district of Regent Street, the holiday lights are already ablaze, a host of illuminated angels spreading their sparkling wings above the passersby.
    — Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 12 Nov. 2026
  • The event was set to present 500 illuminated drones in a choregraphed show over the ocean in honor of Veterans Day.
    — Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 7 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Both Maldonado and Querisma stress the importance of putting warmth back into hair that has been heavily lightened before applying the final brown shade.
    — Marci Robin, Allure, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The service is not suitable for very fine hair or hair that has been heavily bleached or lightened.
    — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • The backdrop is brightly illumined screens that hurt your eyes.
    — Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 5 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Down the hallway inside the black box theater, a light installation by Studio GUMGUM glowed like radioactive flora.
    — Laura Regensdorf, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Their living structures glowed at night a hundred miles up and down the coast.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • To prevent the seed heads from reseeding, do a preliminary light prune by trimming off the tops in fall, then cut the clumps back fully in spring.
    — The Spruce, The Spruce, 8 Nov. 2026
  • The 100 percent polyester fabric is light, yet durable enough to protect you from unpredictable autumn weather.
    — Kate Donovan, Southern Living, 7 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Read More on News But the promotion of white poppies has revived a longstanding disagreement over whether alternative symbols broaden remembrance or undermine the traditional red poppy.
    — Rich Percival, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2026
  • After the original Bay Theatre closed in 1978, the Pacific Palisades went roughly 40 years without a movie theater of its own, until Caruso revived the name as part of Palisades Village in 2018.
    — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 10 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Mayor Matt Mahan told the crowd that the flower is the perfect symbol for a city with a beautiful past and a bright future.
    — John Ramos, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Beautyberry These deciduous shrubs produce bright purple berries that attract songbirds in summer and autumn.
    — The Spruce, The Spruce, 8 Nov. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Brightened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brightened. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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