as in brightens
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 illumines
to supply with light
the room was gradually lightened by the rising sun
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lightens
Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
Classic options include any kind of home or personal service that lightens the load for someone else.
—Amy Lindgren, Twin Cities, 25 Apr. 2026
As the inspirational Moon glides into your 7th House of Allies, your expressive nature invites connection, and your generous spirit lightens tough conversations.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 10 Apr. 2026
As the day progresses, your mood lightens and creativity flows.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 8 Apr. 2026
Layering lightens the hair and keeps it from feeling bulky and heavy.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 1 Apr. 2026
Playing off the conceptual revolution instigated by Duchamp (via Piero Manzoni and Maurizio Cattelan), Johnson’s tasty-looking treat lightens the mood and lets a viewer know to expect the unexpected in the galleries to follow.
—Benjamin Lima
special Contributor, Dallas Morning News, 24 Feb. 2026
But experience and time and failure lightens them.
—Derek Thompson, The Atlantic, 22 Feb. 2026
Abby White lightens the emotional subject with a teen’s authentic, humorous voice.
—Penny Schwartz, Sun Sentinel, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
Artificial intelligence that lightens burdens, cures disease, detects wildfire risk and improves infrastructure should be welcomed.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
Classic options include any kind of home or personal service that lightens the load for someone else.
—Amy Lindgren, Twin Cities, 25 Apr. 2026
As the inspirational Moon glides into your 7th House of Allies, your expressive nature invites connection, and your generous spirit lightens tough conversations.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 10 Apr. 2026
As the day progresses, your mood lightens and creativity flows.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 8 Apr. 2026
Layering lightens the hair and keeps it from feeling bulky and heavy.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 1 Apr. 2026
Playing off the conceptual revolution instigated by Duchamp (via Piero Manzoni and Maurizio Cattelan), Johnson’s tasty-looking treat lightens the mood and lets a viewer know to expect the unexpected in the galleries to follow.
—Benjamin Lima
special Contributor, Dallas Morning News, 24 Feb. 2026
But experience and time and failure lightens them.
—Derek Thompson, The Atlantic, 22 Feb. 2026
Abby White lightens the emotional subject with a teen’s authentic, humorous voice.
—Penny Schwartz, Sun Sentinel, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lightens
Verb
-
The hue is deepening into richer, more golden tones, a shift away from the airy butter yellow that still brightens contemporary collections.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Another key element is the slouchy shoulder bag that brightens up the outfit without adding more bulk.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Amid the blossoming love between Pierre and Francis, one soldier grapples with a decision that illuminates the movie’s choice of title.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
12 May 2026
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That game illuminates the tension between self and community that has fueled the show’s longevity, and reflects the preoccupations of a country that has always been torn between the two.—
Julie Beck,
The Atlantic,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lightens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lightens. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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