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 forecast came in the wake of its sudden dimming during 2023 after a decade of gradually brightening.
—
Jamie Carter, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
Trader stepped outside, into the brightening gray, and placed an FPV drone on a wooden stool resting on its side.
—C.j. Chivers Robert Fass Krish Seenivasan Steven Szczesniak, New York Times, 31 Dec. 2024
Great for brightening up tired eyes after a flight.
—Bea McMonagle, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2024
Silky, creamy, and perfect for brightening a dark and chilly day, this recipe has just the right amount of Key lime kick.
—Patricia S York, Southern Living, 26 Dec. 2024
Used for brightening under eyes, concealing blemishes, and even contouring, this formula blurs imperfections with minimal product—and still looks natural.
—Angela Trakoshis, Allure, 23 Dec. 2024
Candles to take you on a relaxing journey Here are some wonderful examples on how to relax while brightening up your home.
—Laia Farran Graves, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
The pads are loaded with glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acids to minimize pore blockage, brightening skin all the while.
—Deanna Pai, Allure, 13 Dec. 2024
The superfine mist uses salicylic acid and brightening barberry and licorice extracts to minimize discoloration.
—Deanna Pai, Allure, 13 Dec. 2024
Jamie Carter, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
Trader stepped outside, into the brightening gray, and placed an FPV drone on a wooden stool resting on its side.
—C.j. Chivers Robert Fass Krish Seenivasan Steven Szczesniak, New York Times, 31 Dec. 2024
Great for brightening up tired eyes after a flight.
—Bea McMonagle, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2024
Silky, creamy, and perfect for brightening a dark and chilly day, this recipe has just the right amount of Key lime kick.
—Patricia S York, Southern Living, 26 Dec. 2024
Used for brightening under eyes, concealing blemishes, and even contouring, this formula blurs imperfections with minimal product—and still looks natural.
—Angela Trakoshis, Allure, 23 Dec. 2024
Candles to take you on a relaxing journey Here are some wonderful examples on how to relax while brightening up your home.
—Laia Farran Graves, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
The pads are loaded with glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acids to minimize pore blockage, brightening skin all the while.
—Deanna Pai, Allure, 13 Dec. 2024
The superfine mist uses salicylic acid and brightening barberry and licorice extracts to minimize discoloration.
—Deanna Pai, Allure, 13 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brightening
Verb
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Over 12,000 glowing Amazon ratings back up the hype.—
Becca Blond,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Apr. 2025
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The costumes will take on an enchanting, glowing look during the performance.—
DeVonne Goode,
Parents,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Now, a new crop of dancers is reviving — and transforming — the scene.—
María Magdalena Arréllaga,
New York Times,
31 Dec. 2024
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The council yet again approved an extension of those temporary permits in September 2024, reviving hillsides residents’ concerns that the winery’s operations would be a danger to the people who live in the high fire risk area.—
Isha Trivedi,
The Mercury News,
30 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Brightening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brightening. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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