as in to lighten
to become glad or hopeful
the glum soccer player started to brighten upon being told that his injury would not jeopardize his career
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Recent Examples of brighten
The stained glass windows in the sanctuary space will be restored by Norwood Custom Glass, and new lighting will be installed to brighten it up at night.
—
Sydney Franklin, The Enquirer, 3 July 2025
Give that fiddle leaf fig, pothos or monstera a little extra love today for brightening up your house and life.
—Laura L. Davis, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
This is coupled with the increase in solar luminosity as the sun brightens with age (in just over a billion years' time the sun will be too luminous and hot for life on Earth to survive).
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 2 July 2025
It’s made with olive squalane to hydrate, prebiotics to balance the microbiome and lactic acid to brighten.
—Celia Shatzman, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for brighten
Sydney Franklin, The Enquirer, 3 July 2025
Give that fiddle leaf fig, pothos or monstera a little extra love today for brightening up your house and life.
—Laura L. Davis, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
This is coupled with the increase in solar luminosity as the sun brightens with age (in just over a billion years' time the sun will be too luminous and hot for life on Earth to survive).
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 2 July 2025
It’s made with olive squalane to hydrate, prebiotics to balance the microbiome and lactic acid to brighten.
—Celia Shatzman, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for brighten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brighten
Verb
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And here's a chance to light up the grill without seeing wallets lighten as much.—
Cheryl V. Jackson,
IndyStar,
2 July 2025
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In an era of a tough economy, unconventional ties bring humor and lighten the mood.—
Kristopher Fraser,
Robb Report,
20 June 2025
Verb
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Bio-Oil has also received glowing reviews from more than one mama.—
Erin Bunch,
Glamour,
9 July 2025
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Her primary function seems to be solely to wear a tight, glowing suit and look concerned.—
Jordan Hoffman,
EW.com,
9 July 2025
Verb
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Other small towns and villages across Italy have offered houses for as little as €1 to revive shrinking communities.—
Laura Begley Bloom,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
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Starbucks is bulking up staffing as Niccol pushes to revive sales in part by speeding up service.—
Glen Luke Flanagan,
Fortune,
30 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Brighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brighten. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
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