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
Grace McCarty, Glamour, 26 Mar. 2026
Many aspirants, like Yusuf, consider jars of skin lightening cream to be essential, along with access to exclusive gyms and going to the right hair salon.
—Taran Khan, The Dial, 24 Mar. 2026
How to treat melasma The best way to manage melasma is to use a skin-care routine that is right for your skin type, which includes skin-lightening ingredients like hydroquinone, tranexamic acid or niacinamide.
—Leslie Baumann, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2026
Music plays a central role throughout the Amphibian Stage production, acting as a transition between scenes and lightening the drama.
—Manuel Mendoza, Dallas Morning News, 19 Feb. 2026
Then the mixed snowboard cross teams were eliminated early, lightening the workload again.
—Alex Connor, USA Today, 16 Feb. 2026
This is about lightening your load before the eclipse ahead, not pushing through out of pride.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 8 Feb. 2026
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
Verb
Cyrus has been subtly lightening her naturally brunette color over the last year, fueling rumors of a Hannah Montana reunion before the special was confirmed.
—Grace McCarty, Glamour, 26 Mar. 2026
Many aspirants, like Yusuf, consider jars of skin lightening cream to be essential, along with access to exclusive gyms and going to the right hair salon.
—Taran Khan, The Dial, 24 Mar. 2026
How to treat melasma The best way to manage melasma is to use a skin-care routine that is right for your skin type, which includes skin-lightening ingredients like hydroquinone, tranexamic acid or niacinamide.
—Leslie Baumann, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2026
Music plays a central role throughout the Amphibian Stage production, acting as a transition between scenes and lightening the drama.
—Manuel Mendoza, Dallas Morning News, 19 Feb. 2026
Then the mixed snowboard cross teams were eliminated early, lightening the workload again.
—Alex Connor, USA Today, 16 Feb. 2026
This is about lightening your load before the eclipse ahead, not pushing through out of pride.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 8 Feb. 2026
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
Cite this Entry
“Lightening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lightening. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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