as in lightens
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 brightens
My favorite is Phlur’s Vanilla Skin deodorant, which is clinically tested to last 48 hours, doesn’t contain ingredients like aluminum or baking soda, and offers a skin-loving formula with BHA that brightens underarms.
—
Brittany Leitner, StyleCaster, 1 Oct. 2025
Jon Clark’s no-place-to-hide lighting unnervingly brightens Beckett’s shadowy world but without losing its sense of dread, allowing both light and dark at the end of this infinite tunnel.
—Frank Rizzo, Variety, 29 Sep. 2025
The acid help brightens your food.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2025
The base is a cream cheese custard, smooth and mild, with a drizzle of guava over top that brightens every bite.
—Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 22 Sep. 2025
Apple explains that ti lifts and brightens skin tones and adds an extra touch of vibrancy throughout the image.
—David Phelan, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
The lightweight gel-cream sinks in fast, while niacinamide brightens and smooths over time.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 12 Sep. 2025
Via a cocktail of vitamin C and the antioxidant properties of ferulic acid and vitamin E, this Vogue Verified vitamin C serum delivers environmental protection, reduces fine lines and wrinkles, improves firmness, and brightens.
—Akili King, Vogue, 10 Sep. 2025
In their bleak prison cell, Luis (Tonatiuh) brightens Valentín’s (Luna) days with memories of a splendid movie musical starring a larger-than-life diva named Ingrid Luna (Lopez).
—Tolly Wright, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2025
Brittany Leitner, StyleCaster, 1 Oct. 2025
Jon Clark’s no-place-to-hide lighting unnervingly brightens Beckett’s shadowy world but without losing its sense of dread, allowing both light and dark at the end of this infinite tunnel.
—Frank Rizzo, Variety, 29 Sep. 2025
The acid help brightens your food.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2025
The base is a cream cheese custard, smooth and mild, with a drizzle of guava over top that brightens every bite.
—Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 22 Sep. 2025
Apple explains that ti lifts and brightens skin tones and adds an extra touch of vibrancy throughout the image.
—David Phelan, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
The lightweight gel-cream sinks in fast, while niacinamide brightens and smooths over time.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 12 Sep. 2025
Via a cocktail of vitamin C and the antioxidant properties of ferulic acid and vitamin E, this Vogue Verified vitamin C serum delivers environmental protection, reduces fine lines and wrinkles, improves firmness, and brightens.
—Akili King, Vogue, 10 Sep. 2025
In their bleak prison cell, Luis (Tonatiuh) brightens Valentín’s (Luna) days with memories of a splendid movie musical starring a larger-than-life diva named Ingrid Luna (Lopez).
—Tolly Wright, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brightens
Verb
-
Gently rub until the spot lightens.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
23 Sep. 2025
-
By the weekend, the Gemini moon lightens the mood, bringing opportunities for travel, study, or simply laughter with friends.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Sitting at its closest point to Earth, Luna swells a little larger and glows a little louder, reminding us who the real main character is.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Despite its nocturnal state, the alien sphere still glows with auroras brighter than the Earth’s northern lights.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Trump’s new proposal revives the concept, but with an even higher financial threshold for employers.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Intervision revives the name of a music contest that Moscow used to stage in the Soviet era with its Eastern European satellite states.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
20 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Brightens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brightens. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share