as in illuminated
filled with much light
the brightened room is now a much more cheerful place for the recuperating patients
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 27 Mar. 2026
The imposing exterior, made of natural Caribbean limestone and coral stone, is brightened up with turquoise gates and terrace railing.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2026
In the 2010s, her beauty brightened, from blue eyeshadow and powder blush at New York City Ballet’s Spring 2013 Gala to a bright red lip matching her nails at the 2019 MTV Video Awards.
—Essence, 18 Mar. 2026
Head to higher elevations above 2,000 feet where there is more moisture to see slopes brightened with desert lily, sand verbena and flowering Orcutt’s woody aster.
—Jessie Schiewe, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026
Here, her glossy bronde is brightened by traces of copper.
—Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 11 Mar. 2026
Article continues below Since then, the comet has brightened some 600-fold to magnitude 11, bright enough to be readily detected in amateur telescopes of 8 to 10-inch aperture.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 10 Mar. 2026
Chunks of meat slowly braise until fork-tender in a hearty broth brightened by tomato and spiked with stout ale.
—Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2026
Looking at the full year, the picture brightened as SMCP honed its full-price strategy and concentrated on improving brand perception.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 26 Feb. 2026
Verb
New Line has once again brightened up to the idea of a sequel to its 2016 supernatural horror hit Lights Out.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 27 Mar. 2026
The imposing exterior, made of natural Caribbean limestone and coral stone, is brightened up with turquoise gates and terrace railing.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2026
In the 2010s, her beauty brightened, from blue eyeshadow and powder blush at New York City Ballet’s Spring 2013 Gala to a bright red lip matching her nails at the 2019 MTV Video Awards.
—Essence, 18 Mar. 2026
Head to higher elevations above 2,000 feet where there is more moisture to see slopes brightened with desert lily, sand verbena and flowering Orcutt’s woody aster.
—Jessie Schiewe, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026
Here, her glossy bronde is brightened by traces of copper.
—Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 11 Mar. 2026
Article continues below Since then, the comet has brightened some 600-fold to magnitude 11, bright enough to be readily detected in amateur telescopes of 8 to 10-inch aperture.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 10 Mar. 2026
Chunks of meat slowly braise until fork-tender in a hearty broth brightened by tomato and spiked with stout ale.
—Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2026
Looking at the full year, the picture brightened as SMCP honed its full-price strategy and concentrated on improving brand perception.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 26 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brightened
Adjective
-
Jellyfish are on display in every room, floating along in illuminated aquariums.—
Susannah Bryan,
Sun Sentinel,
18 Mar. 2026
-
For this review, Chamberlain sent the video keypad, which features a 1080p camera, 12 illuminated buttons (0 to 9, two-way talk, door open/close), and offers motion detection and motion alerts.—
John R. Delaney,
PC Magazine,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Before the show, her hair was lightened to a sparkling blonde by Jacob Schwartz using Schwarzkopf Professional.—
Kara Jillian Brown,
InStyle,
16 Mar. 2026
-
The crowds have lightened over the decades, but the game endures.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Tournament logos glowed on the massive video boards mounted on either side of the building, a constant reminder that a new phase of the season has begun.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
21 Mar. 2026
-
So Prairie View drifted into the night, and Tampa glowed for the Gators.—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The episode also revived attacks on the show’s spotty vetting after reports that Strader had been arrested in 2017 on suspicion of burglarizing the house of an ex-girlfriend.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Mar. 2026
-
And that was a moment when things were starting to be revived.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
More light rain is expected during the afternoon as temperatures plunge.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Winds will be light and skies will be mostly sunny, allowing highs to warm into the upper 70s from Palo Alto to San Jose, with a few 80 degree readings scattered throughout.—
Greg Porter,
San Francisco Chronicle,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Having undergone an extensive 2024 renovation, each of the 259 rooms (including 42 suites) are bright and airy, with textures and colors inspired by the Canadian landscape.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Beyer, who has a warm smile and bright-pink glasses, did not hide her satisfaction.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brightened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brightened. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
