lightened 1 of 3

lightened

2 of 3

verb (1)

past tense of lighten

lightened

3 of 3

verb (2)

past tense of lighten

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of lightened
Adjective
New photos show the singer with lightened hair. Hannah Malach, InStyle, 28 May 2026 Robinson added 17 points, 11 rebounds, two steals and a block, and both Mikal Bridges (23 minutes) and Josh Hart (28) saw lightened workloads as the Knicks made quick work of the Bulls on Friday. Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 4 Apr. 2026 When the mood strikes for a hair refresh, even brunettes have a sudden thirst for bursts of lightened hair. Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2026 Only two of the eight wives this season are blonde, a stark difference from season one wherein all but one had highlights, lightened hair, or full-on bleach jobs. Elizabeth Gulino, Allure, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
The sweetness of vanilla is contrasted with sharp musk and sandalwood and lightened with fresh jasmine. Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 23 June 2026 Congress has since lightened some of the harsh mandatory penalties that applied to Bailey and others convicted back in the 1990s. Carrie Johnson, NPR, 23 June 2026 His workload was certainly lightened with the casting of Cayleigh Capaldi as his Maria. Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 4 June 2026 Then struggling star Aaron Judge lightened their load with no outs in the ninth inning, lifting a long fly ball that just cleared the fence in right-center field and scoring pinch runner Max Schuemann. Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 24 May 2026 Meats and cheeses are often thought of as dense and heavy ingredients, but this pasta salad is lightened by lemon juice, basil, and red bell peppers. Nellah Bailey McGough, Southern Living, 22 May 2026 Nagatitan belonged to a subgroup of sauropods that possessed bones with lots of internal air sacs and thin walls, traits that lightened their skeletons. Reuters, NBC news, 15 May 2026 Think Snake River Farms beef dashed with huckleberry, steelhead larb, Basque tortillas and churros lightened with potato flour — but expect the sharable menu to change regularly. Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 14 May 2026 But he was known also for an ever-ready smile, an unflappable temperament and unassuming demeanor, an ego-less willingness to pitch in to help other reporters on stories large and small, and a quirky sense of humor that lightened the stress of many a deadline. Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 1 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lightened
Adjective
  • When the sun goes down, stake out a spot at any Magic Kingdom-area resort beach for the Electrical Water Pageant, a procession of illuminated sea creatures that floats across the lagoon every night.
    Jacqueline Dole, Southern Living, 23 June 2026
  • Seconds, that the union and the contractor’s association be allowed to place a smaller illuminated sign near the base of the Western Auto sign noting that the organizations had done the work.
    Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 17 June 2026
Adjective
  • Real estate developers are already cautiously planning to take advantage of the eased regulations and plan to announce new projects after the law goes into effect.
    Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
  • Despite the eased restrictions, Rader is still only allowed out of his 8-foot-by-10-foot cell for one hour a day, five days a week.
    Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Valadao’s hopes of survival were brightened when progressive Randy Villegas defeated moderate Democrat Jasmeet Bains.
    Dan Walters, Mercury News, 25 June 2026
  • This recipe is endlessly customizable and brightened with orange juice and mint.
    Patricia S York, Southern Living, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • Fantastic, illumined by periodic excursions into surrealism, as when the crew of a mysterious UFO boards a transpacific Kahuna Airlines jet midflight.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Listing soon, while the numbers are still dazzling, could be strategic.
    Ashley Capoot,Kate Rooney, CNBC, 26 June 2026
  • Pop these strips on dry teeth while doing skincare or your makeup, and then brace yourself for a dazzling white outcome.
    Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026
Adjective
  • He was slowed early in his recovery from a knee injury and then saw a decreased role in the rotation in the last month, playing only seven minutes in three tournament games.
    Joseph Duarte, Houston Chronicle, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Just like in humans, salmonella exposure can sicken pets, causing lethargy, bloody diarrhea, vomiting, fever and a decreased appetite.
    Jeremy Tanner, The Hill, 2 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Fireworks can't be lit on public or private property without the owner's permission, and fireworks must not be set off within 150 feet of a building or vehicle regardless of who owns the property, according to the city.
    Finch Walker, USA Today, 27 June 2026
  • Then, a thousand years after Rome fell to barbarians, Italy brightly lit the paths of the Renaissance for others to follow.
    Gary Grasso, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026
Adjective
  • Keeping your hair looking and feeling shiny can be challenging, but not with this hair kit.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 25 June 2026
  • The shiny, non-sticky formula is infused with a hyaluronic acid complex, mango seed butter, and fruit extracts to keep lips feeling comfortable.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 24 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Lightened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lightened. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.

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