as in brightening
to become glad or hopeful
the patient lightened when he heard the disease responds well to treatment
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in illuminating
to supply with light
the room was gradually lightened by the rising sun
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of lightening
Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026
The Sorcerer uses a 964 monocoque and adds carbon fiber elements in the bodywork, while lightening the chassis.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 23 Jan. 2026
Cutting my tresses wasn't a consideration at the time, but lightening them didn’t seem so scary.
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 20 Jan. 2026
On deep skin tones, the gray adds a pop of contrasting color, lightening the lashes that frame the eye.
—Jeanne Ballion, Vogue, 19 Dec. 2025
Antoine said getting Jones back on track is key to lightening the load on the Bobcats' other creators.
—Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 5 Dec. 2025
No problem, because some stars like Alison Williams and Tate McRae have shown us there's a much quicker way to add brightness to your look by simply just lightening your front pieces.
—Karli Bendlin, PEOPLE, 24 Nov. 2025
Despite being adopted a couple of years ago, the reform continues to be a lightening rod for French politics, with both the left and the far-right calling for its amendment, if not its repeal altogether.
—Charlotte Reed, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2025
While these are better at lightening than cleaning stains, a soak can help keep mugs stain-free.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 20 Sep. 2025
Verb
Today is about lightening burdens.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026
The Sorcerer uses a 964 monocoque and adds carbon fiber elements in the bodywork, while lightening the chassis.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 23 Jan. 2026
Cutting my tresses wasn't a consideration at the time, but lightening them didn’t seem so scary.
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 20 Jan. 2026
On deep skin tones, the gray adds a pop of contrasting color, lightening the lashes that frame the eye.
—Jeanne Ballion, Vogue, 19 Dec. 2025
Antoine said getting Jones back on track is key to lightening the load on the Bobcats' other creators.
—Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 5 Dec. 2025
No problem, because some stars like Alison Williams and Tate McRae have shown us there's a much quicker way to add brightness to your look by simply just lightening your front pieces.
—Karli Bendlin, PEOPLE, 24 Nov. 2025
Despite being adopted a couple of years ago, the reform continues to be a lightening rod for French politics, with both the left and the far-right calling for its amendment, if not its repeal altogether.
—Charlotte Reed, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2025
While these are better at lightening than cleaning stains, a soak can help keep mugs stain-free.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 20 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lightening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lightening. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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