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
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
Its formula, which has hydrating shea butter, brightens your complexion and evens out skin tone.
—Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
The powerful serum is formulated with vitamin C, licorice root extract, and a triple peptide complex that brightens and soothes the skin, all while improving elasticity and providing you with a refreshing, healthy glow.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 7 Oct. 2025
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 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
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
Its formula, which has hydrating shea butter, brightens your complexion and evens out skin tone.
—Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
The powerful serum is formulated with vitamin C, licorice root extract, and a triple peptide complex that brightens and soothes the skin, all while improving elasticity and providing you with a refreshing, healthy glow.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 7 Oct. 2025
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 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
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
-
In the endless daylight of the Arctic summer, the tapetum lucidum, a mirror-like layer behind the retina, glows golden, reflecting light efficiently to prevent overexposure.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Oct. 2025
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Under federal law, trunks of cars built after 2002 are required to contain a mechanical release lever inside the trunk that is easy to find and glows in the dark.—
Natalie Davies,
Freep.com,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Available in 10xLP and 8xCD editions via Columbia/Legacy, the reissue revives an album that has been out of print for three decades, according to a press release.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
6 Oct. 2025
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Trump’s new proposal revives the concept, but with an even higher financial threshold for employers.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Brightens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brightens. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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