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
The afternoon was brightening, the sun preparing to come through.
—
Stephen King, The Atlantic, 15 May 2026
Blurring pores and fine lines is desirable, but this primer has color-correcting properties that take it one step further — covering redness, brightening dark undereyes, and creating an overall healthy-looking complexion.
—Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026
For instance, researchers found that rapid urbanization and electrification across Asia drove brightening in cities from China to India to Sub-Saharan Africa.
—Bree Shirvell, Hartford Courant, 12 May 2026
Just a little acid went a long way in brightening up all the flavors and cutting through the richness of the sauce.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 May 2026
The gracefully arching evergreen foliage is edged in golden yellow, perfect for brightening shady gardens or porch pots year-round.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 10 May 2026
Instead, Button says under cabinet task lighting can often instantly improve a space, and pot lights are great for brightening up dull areas—especially any prep stations.
—Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 30 Apr. 2026
Inside, it's used for cooking, sanitizing surfaces, brightening laundry, and so much more.
—Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 29 Apr. 2026
This effort will focus on the galactic bulge, where star density is much higher, and will take advantage of the fact that a planet can act as a small gravitational lens, briefly brightening any background stars that pass between it and Earth.
—John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 23 Apr. 2026
Stephen King, The Atlantic, 15 May 2026
Blurring pores and fine lines is desirable, but this primer has color-correcting properties that take it one step further — covering redness, brightening dark undereyes, and creating an overall healthy-looking complexion.
—Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026
For instance, researchers found that rapid urbanization and electrification across Asia drove brightening in cities from China to India to Sub-Saharan Africa.
—Bree Shirvell, Hartford Courant, 12 May 2026
Just a little acid went a long way in brightening up all the flavors and cutting through the richness of the sauce.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 May 2026
The gracefully arching evergreen foliage is edged in golden yellow, perfect for brightening shady gardens or porch pots year-round.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 10 May 2026
Instead, Button says under cabinet task lighting can often instantly improve a space, and pot lights are great for brightening up dull areas—especially any prep stations.
—Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 30 Apr. 2026
Inside, it's used for cooking, sanitizing surfaces, brightening laundry, and so much more.
—Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 29 Apr. 2026
This effort will focus on the galactic bulge, where star density is much higher, and will take advantage of the fact that a planet can act as a small gravitational lens, briefly brightening any background stars that pass between it and Earth.
—John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 23 Apr. 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
-
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
-
With more than 2,000 glowing five-star reviews, this streamlined shirt is destined to become your newest wardrobe staple.—
Kate Donovan,
Southern Living,
18 May 2026
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Long before glowing storefronts, crowded shopping malls, and overnight deliveries became the norm, everyday commerce in America moved at a much slower, more intimate pace.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
By pairing hers with loose, straight-leg denim, Miley Cyrus proved that Hannah Montana isn’t the only thing worth reviving in 2026.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
14 May 2026
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This collaboration continues that legacy, reviving the core black style while introducing a new expression in brown.—
Stephen Garner,
Footwear News,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brightening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brightening. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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