1
as in illuminated
Related Words
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Dissimilar Words
2
as in eased
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
as in brightened
to become glad or hopeful
the patient lightened when he heard the disease responds well to treatment
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in illumined
to supply with light
the room was gradually lightened by the rising sun
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of lightened
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
Hadid wore her lightened tresses in a bun with loose curly tendrils framing her face.
—Hannah Malach, InStyle, 27 Feb. 2026
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
The filmmakers have lightened and brightened their source material to a kid-friendly degree — even the English countryside, as glisteningly shot by George Steel, has never looked less overcast.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 27 Apr. 2026
Before the show, her hair was lightened to a sparkling blonde by Jacob Schwartz using Schwarzkopf Professional.
—Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 16 Mar. 2026
The crowds have lightened over the decades, but the game endures.
—Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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
Hadid wore her lightened tresses in a bun with loose curly tendrils framing her face.
—Hannah Malach, InStyle, 27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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
The filmmakers have lightened and brightened their source material to a kid-friendly degree — even the English countryside, as glisteningly shot by George Steel, has never looked less overcast.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 27 Apr. 2026
Before the show, her hair was lightened to a sparkling blonde by Jacob Schwartz using Schwarzkopf Professional.
—Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 16 Mar. 2026
The crowds have lightened over the decades, but the game endures.
—Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lightened
Adjective
-
Swiss menu options are also available in the lobby lounge, and a weekly DJ enlivens the mood at Onyx Bar (so-named for the illuminated surface that makes up the bar itself).—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
At the rear, the three-claw LED lighting signature remains, joined by an illuminated PEUGEOT wordmark replacing the traditional lion badge.—
Matthew MacConnell,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
The addition of vitamin C has noticeably brightened and evened out my skin tone.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
27 May 2026
-
Queen Camilla brightened her wardrobe in a springtime Fiona Clare blue dress for a garden party at Hillsborough Castle on Wednesday in Hillsborough, Northern Ireland.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
20 May 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
-
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
-
Flares are lit in the PSG end as the players celebrate all over the pitch.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
-
So the first investment has to be in making sure downtown San José is clean, well-lit, and has a visible, community-friendly presence that makes residents and visitors comfortable.—
Mercury News Editorial Board,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
The highlight is a dazzling conjunction of Venus and Jupiter low in the west after sunset, joined briefly by Mercury.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
-
The Mountaineers went 11-1 that season and shocked SEC champion Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, doing so with a dazzling offensive display led by lightning bug dual-threat quarterback Pat White.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
30 May 2026
Adjective
-
For its part, China, says the BRI has contributed to the social and economic development of member countries , created thousands of jobs and alleviated poverty, as well as spurring economic growth and commercial partnerships.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
29 Aug. 2025
-
Republicans say alleviated concerns about the management of the lieutenant governor’s campaign, coupled with a focus on cultural issues in some Northern Virginia schools, is benefiting the state’s GOP ticket.—
Julia Manchester,
The Hill,
25 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lightened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lightened. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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