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 colorful evergreen foliage provides a warm winter welcome in porch planters and brightens patio plantings all year long.
—
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 6 Nov. 2025
At the cocktail bar Muamba, owner Yvens Penna brightens a classic margarita with homemade chicória soda crafted from a pungent local herb that tastes like cilantro on steroids.
—Michael Snyder, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025
The hoisin sauce adds glossy sweetness and umami depth, while fresh ginger brightens things up.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2025
The sunrise simulation gradually brightens the alarm over a customizable five to 60 minutes before your set wake-up time.
—Christopher Murray
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Adding whole lemons slices to a classic midnight pasta brightens the dish, giving it a juicy tang to all the salty, savory flavors in the pan.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, Denver Post, 21 Oct. 2025
Ylang-ylang delivers antioxidant-rich radiance, while pure niacinamide brightens and refines texture.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 18 Oct. 2025
Understanding which bird species react to changes in light could be key as the world brightens due to the increasing presence of artificial light.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2025
Ample natural light from the floor-to-ceiling window on the far wall brightens the entire space.
—Lennie Omalza, Louisville Courier Journal, 9 Oct. 2025
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 6 Nov. 2025
At the cocktail bar Muamba, owner Yvens Penna brightens a classic margarita with homemade chicória soda crafted from a pungent local herb that tastes like cilantro on steroids.
—Michael Snyder, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025
The hoisin sauce adds glossy sweetness and umami depth, while fresh ginger brightens things up.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2025
The sunrise simulation gradually brightens the alarm over a customizable five to 60 minutes before your set wake-up time.
—Christopher Murray
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Adding whole lemons slices to a classic midnight pasta brightens the dish, giving it a juicy tang to all the salty, savory flavors in the pan.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, Denver Post, 21 Oct. 2025
Ylang-ylang delivers antioxidant-rich radiance, while pure niacinamide brightens and refines texture.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 18 Oct. 2025
Understanding which bird species react to changes in light could be key as the world brightens due to the increasing presence of artificial light.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2025
Ample natural light from the floor-to-ceiling window on the far wall brightens the entire space.
—Lennie Omalza, Louisville Courier Journal, 9 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brightens
Verb
-
Some of the most noteworthy changes include new hull windows to bring light into the two-stateroom cabin, a swoosh line in the hull profile that lightens the view of the stern, and a 30 percent larger carbon T-top.—
Michael Verdon,
Robb Report,
7 Nov. 2025
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That’s why engineers at The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) have developed a soft robotic exoskeleton that doesn’t just assist motion, but lightens the load, literally.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The business mogul glows in a golden gown and matching accessories.—
Brittany Talarico,
PEOPLE,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Dusted with snow and adorned with red berries and pine cones, each pre-lit tree glows with 130 warm white lights.—
Nora Colomer
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The throwback capsule collection revives popular and bestselling wedding gowns and bridesmaid dresses that were offered by the two companies during their original partnership in the early 2010s.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
Footwear News,
6 Nov. 2025
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Learn how repotting revives a Christmas cactus, when to do it, and how for a happy holiday plant.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Brightens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brightens. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
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