as in lightening
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 brightening
More than a body moisturizer, Crepe Control Tightening Body Cream is a transforming treatment, packed with peptides plus lifting and brightening agents to visibly tighten and even skin tone.
—
Tory Johnson, ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
Common ingredients include hyaluronic acid to help with hydration, peptides for skin plumping, retinals for fine lines and vitamin C for brightening the under-eye area.
—Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026
If your grout isn't horrendous with dirt or stains, this might be a great cleaner for brightening the lines.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 13 Mar. 2026
With sisters that specialize in this ilk of blonde, Elizabeth Olsen's beige old money is broken up only by some brightening highlights within her wispy bangs.
—Calin Van Paris, InStyle, 3 Mar. 2026
The nurturing Moon comforts therapeutic Chiron, brightening your 5th House of Amusement — this is your moment to attempt a new way of expressing yourself without judging yourself.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 1 Mar. 2026
Thanks for brightening our mornings!
—Ticked Off, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Feb. 2026
This Lifting & Firming Face Primer from Kelly Zhang is packed with peptides, soothing aloe, and brightening orange peel extract to help smooth, firm, and illuminate skin, all while creating an ideal base for makeup.
—Sara Tan, Allure, 27 Feb. 2026
Made with oils rich in omega-3s, -6s, and -9s, the formula supports the skin barrier while brightening the complexion.
—Jenny Berg, Vogue, 27 Feb. 2026
Tory Johnson, ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
Common ingredients include hyaluronic acid to help with hydration, peptides for skin plumping, retinals for fine lines and vitamin C for brightening the under-eye area.
—Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026
If your grout isn't horrendous with dirt or stains, this might be a great cleaner for brightening the lines.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 13 Mar. 2026
With sisters that specialize in this ilk of blonde, Elizabeth Olsen's beige old money is broken up only by some brightening highlights within her wispy bangs.
—Calin Van Paris, InStyle, 3 Mar. 2026
The nurturing Moon comforts therapeutic Chiron, brightening your 5th House of Amusement — this is your moment to attempt a new way of expressing yourself without judging yourself.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 1 Mar. 2026
Thanks for brightening our mornings!
—Ticked Off, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Feb. 2026
This Lifting & Firming Face Primer from Kelly Zhang is packed with peptides, soothing aloe, and brightening orange peel extract to help smooth, firm, and illuminate skin, all while creating an ideal base for makeup.
—Sara Tan, Allure, 27 Feb. 2026
Made with oils rich in omega-3s, -6s, and -9s, the formula supports the skin barrier while brightening the complexion.
—Jenny Berg, Vogue, 27 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brightening
Verb
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Music plays a central role throughout the Amphibian Stage production, acting as a transition between scenes and lightening the drama.—
Manuel Mendoza,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Feb. 2026
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Then the mixed snowboard cross teams were eliminated early, lightening the workload again.—
Alex Connor,
USA Today,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The sparklers weren't the only thing dazzling; Hudson finished off the look with a glowing glam that featured a dewy complexion, shimmery eyeshadow, black liner, and a pink lip.—
Tessa Petak,
InStyle,
16 Mar. 2026
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Nighttime is ideal for viewing the molten lava from the Halemaʻumaʻu crater, and the best viewing spots of the glowing crater include the Kilauea Overlook, Waldron Ledge and the Devastation Trail parking area.—
Ben Davidson,
Mercury News,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Cyrus took reviving Hannah very seriously, even if other people might poke fun at it.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
18 Mar. 2026
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Each March, many of the country’s most selective colleges and universities release their admissions decisions, reviving debates over the roles of race, wealth and privilege – and putting Americans’ cultural obsession with rankings back in the spotlight.—
Stephen Chen,
The Conversation,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brightening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brightening. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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