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
Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Add the peppers and saute until brightened in color, about 2 minutes.
—Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 24 Oct. 2025
Since its discovery, the comet has brightened in magnitude and is becoming more and more visible.
—Harry Bennett, Space.com, 8 Oct. 2025
Kindling his broad grin and clean laughter brightened even the most discouraging day.
—Jim Moore, Outdoor Life, 8 Oct. 2025
Defensive end Anthony Smith said his eyes brightened as ball shot backwards.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 29 Sep. 2025
The fireworks that lit up the sky afterward brightened an otherwise dreary night as the Mustangs turned three first-half Hornets turnovers into 11 points, punctuated by a 23-yard interception return into the end zone by Brian Dukes Jr.
—Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 28 Sep. 2025
By all indications, the first full day at the San Diego International Airport’s new Terminal 1 went without a hitch Tuesday, with smooth check-in and security zones, bustling concession stands, speedy baggage claim and airy spaces that brightened the moods of travelers.
—Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Sep. 2025
In Pynchon’s best works, his bleakness is brightened, in both senses—illuminated and made lighter—by the sweep of his vision and his affection for his fallible, foolhardy, well-meaning, wildly outmatched main characters.
—Kathryn Schulz, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
Verb
Meanwhile, economic attitudes among young voters have brightened slightly, though dissatisfaction remains high.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Add the peppers and saute until brightened in color, about 2 minutes.
—Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 24 Oct. 2025
Since its discovery, the comet has brightened in magnitude and is becoming more and more visible.
—Harry Bennett, Space.com, 8 Oct. 2025
Kindling his broad grin and clean laughter brightened even the most discouraging day.
—Jim Moore, Outdoor Life, 8 Oct. 2025
Defensive end Anthony Smith said his eyes brightened as ball shot backwards.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 29 Sep. 2025
The fireworks that lit up the sky afterward brightened an otherwise dreary night as the Mustangs turned three first-half Hornets turnovers into 11 points, punctuated by a 23-yard interception return into the end zone by Brian Dukes Jr.
—Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 28 Sep. 2025
By all indications, the first full day at the San Diego International Airport’s new Terminal 1 went without a hitch Tuesday, with smooth check-in and security zones, bustling concession stands, speedy baggage claim and airy spaces that brightened the moods of travelers.
—Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Sep. 2025
In Pynchon’s best works, his bleakness is brightened, in both senses—illuminated and made lighter—by the sweep of his vision and his affection for his fallible, foolhardy, well-meaning, wildly outmatched main characters.
—Kathryn Schulz, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brightened
Adjective
-
There’s also an illuminated bar that seats 10.—
Connie Ogle,
Miami Herald,
29 Oct. 2025
-
The solar wind smashes into the leading edge of Earth’s magnetosphere with supersonic speed, creating a shockwave that can come closer than one hundred thousand kilometers to the planet’s illuminated side.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Such comparisons are too easily drawn, with too much self-righteousness, as though the guilt for what was done to the Jews could be lightened just a little by likening them to their own murderers.—
Ian Buruma,
New Yorker,
22 Sep. 2025
-
The earlier layoff constituted 8% of staff, which will mean Lionsgate will have lightened its head count by 13% when this round of downsizing is done.—
Mike Fleming Jr,
Deadline,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Even from a boat, the gleaming white of bleached and dead corals glowed from beneath the surface.—
Alex Harris,
Miami Herald,
24 Oct. 2025
-
The ground cover glowed gold and red.—
Gloria Liu,
Outside Online,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Though machines revived her, she was declared brain dead, and five days later, her parents consented to remove her from life support.—
Rebecca Aizin,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Baldwin’s attorneys, meanwhile, recently revived his lawsuit after it was thrown out for lack of prosecution.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The popular lounge set comes in 16 colors, including neutrals, bright hues, and several shades of blue.—
Isabel Garcia,
PEOPLE,
2 Nov. 2025
-
The future is bright, the options are endless.—
J.J. Bailey,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
For an additional challenge, hold a pair of light dumbbells in each hand during the exercise.—
Jakob Roze,
Health,
31 Oct. 2025
-
The webbing clothes moth is light beige and has a fuzzy head.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Brightened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brightened. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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