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
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Recent Examples of brightens
The acid help brightens your food.
—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
26 June 2026
Joined by its fellow soft herb pals, oregano and chives, basil brightens up this easy cheese spread.
—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 June 2026
Unlike cakey concealer, the rich clay formula simultaneously hydrates and brightens my bags to deliver a skin-like finish.
—
Kyra Surgent,
InStyle,
26 June 2026
The star crossing in front of the other one brightens and bends the latter object’s light, thereby acting like a giant magnifying glass.
—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
25 June 2026
Commoditization at the bottom of a market brightens the halo at the top.
—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
23 June 2026
Hers was protected by a wide headpiece while a pink lipstick brightens her smile, her nails are painted in an ever-chic milky shade.
—
Laura Scafati,
Vanity Fair,
20 June 2026
Niacinamide and vitamin E work to strengthen, vitamin C brightens, AHA exfoliates and smooths, and collagen peptides help reduce the appearance of fine lines while boosting elasticity.
—
Claudia Fisher,
Parents,
18 June 2026
Your 11th House of Friends brightens as The Love Goddess Venus forms a supportive sextile to reactive Uranus in your 9th House of Learning, sparking bold ideas that widen your world.
—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
15 June 2026
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
26 June 2026
Joined by its fellow soft herb pals, oregano and chives, basil brightens up this easy cheese spread.
—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 June 2026
Unlike cakey concealer, the rich clay formula simultaneously hydrates and brightens my bags to deliver a skin-like finish.
—
Kyra Surgent,
InStyle,
26 June 2026
The star crossing in front of the other one brightens and bends the latter object’s light, thereby acting like a giant magnifying glass.
—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
25 June 2026
Commoditization at the bottom of a market brightens the halo at the top.
—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
23 June 2026
Hers was protected by a wide headpiece while a pink lipstick brightens her smile, her nails are painted in an ever-chic milky shade.
—
Laura Scafati,
Vanity Fair,
20 June 2026
Niacinamide and vitamin E work to strengthen, vitamin C brightens, AHA exfoliates and smooths, and collagen peptides help reduce the appearance of fine lines while boosting elasticity.
—
Claudia Fisher,
Parents,
18 June 2026
Your 11th House of Friends brightens as The Love Goddess Venus forms a supportive sextile to reactive Uranus in your 9th House of Learning, sparking bold ideas that widen your world.
—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
15 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brightens
Verb
-
Like a true pal, a big pot of it in my refrigerator lightens my load, providing a nourishing meal my whole family loves at a moment’s notice.
-
Dark green foliage lightens toward the branch tips.
Verb
-
Pink and green airbrushing glows against chrome cutouts, 3D decals, and sparkling gemstones.
-
The speakeasy-style room glows with a gold-leaf ceiling, ochre velvet sofas, and an extravagant cocktail menu.
Verb
-
The measure revives a 2022 phaseout that was thrown out by a judge.
-
There will not be a quick turnaround that revives sustainability reporting.
Cite this Entry
“Brightens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brightens. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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