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
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Recent Examples of brightened
Robert Lea, Space.com, 15 Apr. 2026
Imagine my surprise when MMskincare’s tinted Glow Guard Correct Eye Creamimmediately brightened my under eyes with more efficacy than a color corrector.
—Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 14 Apr. 2026
Even the interest rate outlook brightened this week, with fed funds futures suddenly pricing in at least one cut by the end of the year.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2026
Elsewhere, the formal dining room is framed by ample wall space for art, while adjoining sitting and lounge areas, brightened by large oval windows and skylights, create inviting spots for reading, writing, or taking calls.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 7 Apr. 2026
But even during the dreariest days of March, our beauty and wellness rituals brightened up our routines.
—Grace McCarty, Glamour, 1 Apr. 2026
The victory brightened Mathews’ mood.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 28 Mar. 2026
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
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
Verb
This is accompanied by a brightening of the comet, but 3I/ATLAS brightened even more than expected.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 15 Apr. 2026
Imagine my surprise when MMskincare’s tinted Glow Guard Correct Eye Creamimmediately brightened my under eyes with more efficacy than a color corrector.
—Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 14 Apr. 2026
Even the interest rate outlook brightened this week, with fed funds futures suddenly pricing in at least one cut by the end of the year.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2026
Elsewhere, the formal dining room is framed by ample wall space for art, while adjoining sitting and lounge areas, brightened by large oval windows and skylights, create inviting spots for reading, writing, or taking calls.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 7 Apr. 2026
But even during the dreariest days of March, our beauty and wellness rituals brightened up our routines.
—Grace McCarty, Glamour, 1 Apr. 2026
The victory brightened Mathews’ mood.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 28 Mar. 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brightened
Adjective
-
For the 19th year, Illumine, an illuminated immersive art event, will take place at Atlanta’s historic Oakland Cemetery.—
Yvonne Zusel,
AJC.com,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The drone shows, as described in the staff report, involve up to 1,000 illuminated aerial drones programmed to autonomously take off up to 660 feet above Mission Bay.—
Jennifer Van Grove,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Your family will never know that this casserole is lightened-up for a healthier spin on the classic dinner dish.—
Patricia S York,
Southern Living,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Before the show, her hair was lightened to a sparkling blonde by Jacob Schwartz using Schwarzkopf Professional.—
Kara Jillian Brown,
InStyle,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
For her rare public outing, the teen—whom Beyoncé shares with husband Jay-Z—glowed in a luminous white New Arrivals minidress featuring a strapless design and delicate ruching.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Inside, there was a puzzling, almost magical blue powder that glowed in the dark.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Familiar formulas cannot simply be revived.—
Nawaf M. Al-Thani,
semafor.com,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Frank Zappa’s estate has revived their archival Vaulternative Records for the first time in nearly a decade to showcase a Mothers of Invention session from 1966.—
Daniel Kreps,
Rolling Stone,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Plus, the light wash can also keep you cooler than darker denim on sunny days.—
Madeline Merinuk,
PEOPLE,
22 Apr. 2026
-
The panang curry with peanut added is richer and thicker, but pineapple red curry is a lighter dinner on a warm spring day.—
Bud Kennedy,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Aged 33, the Belgian still has plenty of years ahead of him but in Friday night’s semi-final against PSG, Navarro showed the future is bright in that position for the Spanish club.—
Dan Sheldon,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The verdant burst is always welcome after a dreary winter, and the bright, fresh flavors of spring vegetables are like a breath of fresh air on the table, too.—
Becky Krystal,
Washington Post,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brightened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brightened. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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