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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of brightening
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
Des Moines plans to light up parts of its busiest golf course, extending tee time hours and brightening it for activities like sledding.
—Virginia Barreda, Des Moines Register, 26 Feb. 2026
Shop the moisturizer on Amazon, along with other Tula products, including a blurring primer and a brightening eye balm.
—Melony Forcier, InStyle, 25 Feb. 2026
If my outfit is looking a little too flat, a little too monochrome, the Barbie pink scales have a way of brightening it up.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Feb. 2026
With Demna‘s first runway show for Gucci only a few weeks away, sentiment seems to be brightening around prospects for Kering‘s linchpin luxury property, which accounts for 39 percent of group sales.
—Miles Socha, Footwear News, 11 Feb. 2026
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
Des Moines plans to light up parts of its busiest golf course, extending tee time hours and brightening it for activities like sledding.
—Virginia Barreda, Des Moines Register, 26 Feb. 2026
Shop the moisturizer on Amazon, along with other Tula products, including a blurring primer and a brightening eye balm.
—Melony Forcier, InStyle, 25 Feb. 2026
If my outfit is looking a little too flat, a little too monochrome, the Barbie pink scales have a way of brightening it up.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Feb. 2026
With Demna‘s first runway show for Gucci only a few weeks away, sentiment seems to be brightening around prospects for Kering‘s linchpin luxury property, which accounts for 39 percent of group sales.
—Miles Socha, Footwear News, 11 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brightening
Verb
-
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
-
Then the mixed snowboard cross teams were eliminated early, lightening the workload again.—
Alex Connor,
USA Today,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
And while some of their feedback may not be as glowing as anticipated, remember that this type of open communication will only strengthen your relationship.—
Ellen O’Brien,
SELF,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Zoe Saldaña showed off her glowing bare skin in an idyllic, glam-free selfie shared on Sunday.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Dell has now reversed that decision, reviving the XPS brand and shifting focus to expand the PC business's customer base and profit.—
Staff,
Austin American Statesman,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Just like Rolex, grocery giant Whole Foods Market is also reviving artisan apprenticeships.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brightening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brightening. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
