Synonyms of lighten

lighten 1 of 2

verb (1)

as in to brighten

to become glad or hopeful

the patient lightened when he heard the disease responds well to treatment

Synonyms & Similar Words

• brighten
• glow
• revive
• look up
• encourage
• cheer (up)
• beam
• perk (up)
• rejoice
• buck up
• radiate
• sparkle
• gladden
• liven (up)
• hearten

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• darken
• sadden
• despair
• brood
• fret
• mope
• despond

lighten

2 of 2

verb (2)

ˈlī-tᵊn 

as in to illumine

to supply with light

the room was gradually lightened by the rising sun

Synonyms & Similar Words

• illumine
• illuminate
• light
• brighten
• irradiate
• beacon
• bathe
• shine
• illume
• highlight
• beam
• beat (down)
• emblaze
• glow
• ignite
• radiate
• glisten
• dazzle
• incinerate
• blind
• gleam
• spotlight
• kindle
• glare
• enhalo
• halo
• burn
• flame
• glitter
• blaze
• floodlight
• fire
• bedazzle
• daze

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• darken
• dull
• blacken
• dim
• obfuscate
• obscure
• cover
• veil
• extinguish
• put out
• shroud
• quench
• douse
• snuff (out)
• dowse

Synonym Chooser

How is the word lighten different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of lighten are allay, alleviate, assuage, mitigate, and relieve. While all these words mean "to make something less grievous," lighten implies reducing a burdensome or depressing weight.

good news would lighten our worries

When can allay be used instead of lighten?

The meanings of allay and lighten largely overlap; however, allay implies an effective calming or soothing of fears or alarms.

allayed their fears

Where would alleviate be a reasonable alternative to lighten?

The words alleviate and lighten can be used in similar contexts, but alleviate implies temporary or partial lessening of pain or distress.

the lotion alleviated the itching

In what contexts can assuage take the place of lighten?

The synonyms assuage and lighten are sometimes interchangeable, but assuage implies softening or sweetening what is harsh or disagreeable.

ocean breezes assuaged the intense heat

When would mitigate be a good substitute for lighten?

While in some cases nearly identical to lighten, mitigate suggests a moderating or countering of the effect of something violent or painful.

the need to mitigate barbaric laws

When is relieve a more appropriate choice than lighten?

The words relieve and lighten are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, relieve implies a lifting of enough of a burden to make it tolerable.

took an aspirin to relieve the pain

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of lighten

Verb

Agudelo was found unconscious near the bike path at about 5:15 a.m. the next day as the sky began to lighten on the sparsely populated island, which is home to sports fields and institutions including shelters, a psychiatric hospital and an FDNY training facility. —Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 23 May 2025

While some Democrats are looking to lighten the bureaucratic load, Trump and his congressional allies see it as an effective way to achieve their goal of barring low- and middle-income households from accessing government assistance. —Howard Gleckman, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025

After a couple of drinks or snacks, the backpack will lighten. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2025

When friendships implode: Elon Musk says Trump 'would have lost the election' Social media reacts to Trump, Musk feud While there are some serious claims being thrown around, the internet attempted to lighten the mood with jokes − even some fellow politicians chimed in. —Melina Khan, USA Today, 6 June 2025