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 hue is deepening into richer, more golden tones, a shift away from the airy butter yellow that still brightens contemporary collections.
—
Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 30 Apr. 2026
Another key element is the slouchy shoulder bag that brightens up the outfit without adding more bulk.
—Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026
Going farther west, however, brightens the sky even more and anywhere west of a line from approximately central Michigan, going south through east-central Kentucky to the Gulf Coast will be bathed in full daylight.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 24 Apr. 2026
The fresh and light menu brightens up the day with dishes featuring local vegetables and fish from the Malaga coast, as well as old-school resort favorites like a fabulous club sandwich.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Every swipe gently refines and brightens over time, but your skin still feels calm, comfortable, and unbothered.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 22 Apr. 2026
Lush, vibrant and full of life, California Tropicals instantly brightens any space while adding fresh, feel-good energy.
—ABC News, 18 Apr. 2026
Eye cream brightens eyes and adds moisture back into your delicate skin.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 16 Apr. 2026
Eye cream brightens your eyes and adds hydration back into that delicate skin.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026
Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 30 Apr. 2026
Another key element is the slouchy shoulder bag that brightens up the outfit without adding more bulk.
—Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026
Going farther west, however, brightens the sky even more and anywhere west of a line from approximately central Michigan, going south through east-central Kentucky to the Gulf Coast will be bathed in full daylight.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 24 Apr. 2026
The fresh and light menu brightens up the day with dishes featuring local vegetables and fish from the Malaga coast, as well as old-school resort favorites like a fabulous club sandwich.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Every swipe gently refines and brightens over time, but your skin still feels calm, comfortable, and unbothered.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 22 Apr. 2026
Lush, vibrant and full of life, California Tropicals instantly brightens any space while adding fresh, feel-good energy.
—ABC News, 18 Apr. 2026
Eye cream brightens eyes and adds moisture back into your delicate skin.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 16 Apr. 2026
Eye cream brightens your eyes and adds hydration back into that delicate skin.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brightens
Verb
-
Artificial intelligence that lightens burdens, cures disease, detects wildfire risk and improves infrastructure should be welcomed.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
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Classic options include any kind of home or personal service that lightens the load for someone else.—
Amy Lindgren,
Twin Cities,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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On the western horizon, Venus glows brightly at sunset, while Jupiter hangs just above it.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
1 May 2026
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Even if other tracks on BASS2 don’t quite rise to the same level, the record glows with new confidence.—
Harry Tafoya,
Pitchfork,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As Ukrainians mark the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, last year’s Russian drone attack revives safety concerns.—
Hanna Arhirova,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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In a state where cask beers have faded, Wren House revives a cool fringe beer tradition.—
Chris Malloy,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brightens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brightens. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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