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
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Recent Examples of brightened
Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 26 Feb. 2026
Moonbeams brightened packed dirt.
—Literary Hub, 23 Feb. 2026
The best that can happen is that their mood gets brightened.
—Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2026
Her ability to observe and relate her observations and insights with clarity brightened the pages of various publications over many years.
—Lisa Boone, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Despite Martin’s rough start in the job, the party’s spirits had brightened considerably after November 4, when Democrats scored double-digit wins in the Virginia and New Jersey governor’s races.
—Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
Share this with friends who need their day brightened.
—Ronnie Li, USA Today, 5 Feb. 2026
The tomato broth should be aromatic and sippable, often brightened with white wine, fennel, and fragrant herbs.
—Becky Duffett, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
An early morning may be brightened with a cup of chai, which is rich in caffeine and has bold, spiced flavors.
—Ayesha Gulzar, Verywell Health, 20 Jan. 2026
Verb
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
Moonbeams brightened packed dirt.
—Literary Hub, 23 Feb. 2026
The best that can happen is that their mood gets brightened.
—Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2026
Her ability to observe and relate her observations and insights with clarity brightened the pages of various publications over many years.
—Lisa Boone, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Despite Martin’s rough start in the job, the party’s spirits had brightened considerably after November 4, when Democrats scored double-digit wins in the Virginia and New Jersey governor’s races.
—Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
Share this with friends who need their day brightened.
—Ronnie Li, USA Today, 5 Feb. 2026
The tomato broth should be aromatic and sippable, often brightened with white wine, fennel, and fragrant herbs.
—Becky Duffett, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
An early morning may be brightened with a cup of chai, which is rich in caffeine and has bold, spiced flavors.
—Ayesha Gulzar, Verywell Health, 20 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brightened
Adjective
-
The expansive lobby impresses with a resplendent illuminated glass sculpture, a coffee bar, a lobby bar, and an on-site restaurant, Cavalier.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Outside, nothing but darkness — and the illuminated lights of Dubai port.—
Francesca Street,
CNN Money,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The crowds have lightened over the decades, but the game endures.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
McGregor says, having swapped the black finish for an earthy green that lightened the visual weight of the piece.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Sludge subjected to a fire burning at 1,550 degrees Fahrenheit glowed bright orange.—
Alex Kuffner,
The Providence Journal,
3 Mar. 2026
-
What if the warm beacon of home glowed with the patriotic colors of a mid-tier gas station logo?—
Sadie Sartini Garner,
Pitchfork,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The project was revived in 2019 with plans to launch production in 2022, but further challenges delayed progress.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Mar. 2026
-
The Supreme Court revived a San Diego judge’s order Monday and said parents have a right to know about their child’s gender identity at school.—
Deputy Managing Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
There’s an update on the barn jacket in a soft light blue wash, with a contrast white leather collar; a sweeping denim car coat ideal for transitional weather, and an A-line denim skirt designed to be worn over pants.—
Libby Page,
Vogue,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Generally this means books that are prose-light, plot-forward, and propulsive.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Points of bright-eyed inspiration.—
Jason LeCras,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Would the girl with the bright smile have been embarrassed by her love Stitch as a teen?—
Gillian Stawiszynski,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brightened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brightened. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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