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
As the weather brightens for both Burberry and Lee, the house has entered the 170th anniversary of its foundation by Thomas Burberry back in 1856.
—
Luke Leitch, Vogue, 2 Mar. 2026
Self-expression softens and brightens as Mercury and free-loving Venus meet in your sign, centering self-appreciation.
—Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2026
The payoff is an antioxidant-rich anti-aging formula that plumps wrinkles, brightens skin, and smoothes texture while reducing inflammation.
—Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 27 Feb. 2026
Cooperation brightens conversations as the moody Moon in your connection sector trines punchy Mars in your 3rd House of Messages.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 25 Feb. 2026
The colorful evergreen foliage provides a warm winter welcome in porch planters and brightens patios all year long.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 22 Feb. 2026
Whether in the months when the sun bathes our skin or now, in the middle of the Christmas season, this shoe design brightens up any outfit—and the actor's latest effortless look is the best example to prove it.
—María Munsuri, Glamour, 24 Dec. 2024
Oklahoma The Bricktown Christmas Tree brightens up this Oklahoma City area.
—Michele Herrmann, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024
This breakthrough super antioxidant hydrating, preservative-free facial serum rejuvenates a changing complexion and naturally brightens and evens skin tone.
—Kirsten Chanel Webber, Rolling Stone, 17 Dec. 2024
Luke Leitch, Vogue, 2 Mar. 2026
Self-expression softens and brightens as Mercury and free-loving Venus meet in your sign, centering self-appreciation.
—Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2026
The payoff is an antioxidant-rich anti-aging formula that plumps wrinkles, brightens skin, and smoothes texture while reducing inflammation.
—Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 27 Feb. 2026
Cooperation brightens conversations as the moody Moon in your connection sector trines punchy Mars in your 3rd House of Messages.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 25 Feb. 2026
The colorful evergreen foliage provides a warm winter welcome in porch planters and brightens patios all year long.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 22 Feb. 2026
Whether in the months when the sun bathes our skin or now, in the middle of the Christmas season, this shoe design brightens up any outfit—and the actor's latest effortless look is the best example to prove it.
—María Munsuri, Glamour, 24 Dec. 2024
Oklahoma The Bricktown Christmas Tree brightens up this Oklahoma City area.
—Michele Herrmann, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024
This breakthrough super antioxidant hydrating, preservative-free facial serum rejuvenates a changing complexion and naturally brightens and evens skin tone.
—Kirsten Chanel Webber, Rolling Stone, 17 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brightens
Verb
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Replacing some of the lasagna noodles with zucchini strips lightens an otherwise classic dish.—
Patricia S York,
Southern Living,
27 Feb. 2026
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Playing off the conceptual revolution instigated by Duchamp (via Piero Manzoni and Maurizio Cattelan), Johnson’s tasty-looking treat lightens the mood and lets a viewer know to expect the unexpected in the galleries to follow.—
Benjamin Lima
Special Contributor,
Dallas Morning News,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In San Francisco, Chinatown glows with lanterns, pop‑up performances, and bustling markets as the city builds toward its iconic Chinese New Year Parade on March 7 — one of the largest outside Asia.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
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Your 5th House of Creativity glows with a Solar Eclipse, inviting playful expression and heartfelt risk that helps love and artistry feel alive again.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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And for the theatrical exhibition business, any merger revives concerns about an even greater decrease in films headed to theaters — particularly if the winning bidder is Netflix.—
Samantha Masunaga,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
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Petrosian’s presence revives the murkiness of Russia’s participation.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brightens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brightens. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
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