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
Sitake says the most rewarding team meetings are discussions around the smallest of gestures, brightening the days of others.
—
Christopher Kamrani, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Writers need time to get to know their stars’ strengths, even if those stars have been brightening our screens for decades.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 13 Oct. 2025
If your grout isn't horrendous with dirt or stains, this might be a great cleaner for brightening the lines.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 10 Oct. 2025
Complete your skincare routine by shopping for more Meaningful Beauty products, including de-puffing eye masks and a brightening vitamin C serum, while these Amazon October Prime Day discounts last.
—Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
There’s a brightening serum to keep your skin glowing long after vacation, a color-protecting shampoo to help maintain your summer highlights, and a gourmand fragrance with notes of sweet vanilla and earthy amber that linger on skin like a warm hug.
—Sarah Kinonen, Allure, 1 Oct. 2025
The refreshing feel is perfect for depuffing and brightening tired eyes.
—L. Daniela Alvarez, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Sep. 2025
Planetary scientists estimate that by about a billion years after the solar system’s birth, the gradually brightening sun would have been able to efficiently vaporize any liquid water on Venus.
—Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
Fairmont Hotel Vancouver Fairmont Hotel Vancouver Four-Star Fairmont Hotel Vancouver is brightening the seasons throughout the year with a series of special events.
—Carolyn Heller, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Christopher Kamrani, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Writers need time to get to know their stars’ strengths, even if those stars have been brightening our screens for decades.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 13 Oct. 2025
If your grout isn't horrendous with dirt or stains, this might be a great cleaner for brightening the lines.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 10 Oct. 2025
Complete your skincare routine by shopping for more Meaningful Beauty products, including de-puffing eye masks and a brightening vitamin C serum, while these Amazon October Prime Day discounts last.
—Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
There’s a brightening serum to keep your skin glowing long after vacation, a color-protecting shampoo to help maintain your summer highlights, and a gourmand fragrance with notes of sweet vanilla and earthy amber that linger on skin like a warm hug.
—Sarah Kinonen, Allure, 1 Oct. 2025
The refreshing feel is perfect for depuffing and brightening tired eyes.
—L. Daniela Alvarez, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Sep. 2025
Planetary scientists estimate that by about a billion years after the solar system’s birth, the gradually brightening sun would have been able to efficiently vaporize any liquid water on Venus.
—Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
Fairmont Hotel Vancouver Fairmont Hotel Vancouver Four-Star Fairmont Hotel Vancouver is brightening the seasons throughout the year with a series of special events.
—Carolyn Heller, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brightening
Verb
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Despite being adopted a couple of years ago, the reform continues to be a lightening rod for French politics, with both the left and the far-right calling for its amendment, if not its repeal altogether.—
Charlotte Reed,
CNBC,
8 Oct. 2025
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While these are better at lightening than cleaning stains, a soak can help keep mugs stain-free.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Remember to be patient as auroras may arrive in quiet bursts, glowing faintly before becoming vibrant waves of color.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
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Some say the glowing eyes belong to the ghost of a soldier who lost his head to cannon fire during the battle of Chickamauga.—
Graham Averill,
Outside,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Each garment at 110 Mercer Street continues the brand’s commitment to handcraftsmanship, reviving historical techniques such as lace-making, metal threadwork and glass bead embroidery.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
24 Oct. 2025
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Is sporting Halloween fashion really that much worse than reviving 1980s deadstock denim?—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Brightening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brightening. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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