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
First, find Copernicus shining brightly 10 degrees above the lunar equator, brightening the dark basaltic plains on the western lunar surface, and Tycho, which dominates the southern hemisphere of Earth's natural satellite around the full moon phase.
—
Anthony Wood, Space.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Ferulic acid boosts that brightening trio, while niacinamide and tangerine peel extract help even things out over time.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 25 Mar. 2026
That lush indoor garden brightening your living room could be hiding a serious risk.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2026
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
Anthony Wood, Space.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Ferulic acid boosts that brightening trio, while niacinamide and tangerine peel extract help even things out over time.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 25 Mar. 2026
That lush indoor garden brightening your living room could be hiding a serious risk.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brightening
Verb
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Cyrus has been subtly lightening her naturally brunette color over the last year, fueling rumors of a Hannah Montana reunion before the special was confirmed.—
Grace McCarty,
Glamour,
26 Mar. 2026
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Many aspirants, like Yusuf, consider jars of skin lightening cream to be essential, along with access to exclusive gyms and going to the right hair salon.—
Taran Khan,
The Dial,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Images taken from inside the Orion capsule have shifted from solely highlighting the glowing spectacle of Earth as seen from a cosmic perspective to refocusing on the moon as the mission draws closer to the silvery orb.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
4 Apr. 2026
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Meanwhile, some of the survey’s 100 multiple-choice questions gave city officials a different not-so-glowing look at operations within the police department.—
Nick Ferraro,
Twin Cities,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The failure is its own, and painting this as the creative team not delivering, and alienating Gellar in the process, only makes reviving the franchise that much harder.—
Chris O'Falt,
IndieWire,
8 Apr. 2026
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An agenda item on the County Commission’s next meeting calls for a study on the costs and benefits of reviving Broward County Fire Rescue, which merged with the Broward Sheriff’s Office in 2003.—
Rafael Olmeda,
Sun Sentinel,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brightening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brightening. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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