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
Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Dark green foliage lightens toward the branch tips.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 14 May 2026
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
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
Verb
One partner gets a little embarrassed, but the other lightens the mood and keeps encouraging them.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Dark green foliage lightens toward the branch tips.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 14 May 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lightens
Verb
-
Your 5th House of Creativity brightens as the emotional Moon forms an easy sextile with sore-spot Chiron in your 7th House of Partnership, turning play into repair.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 June 2026
-
Niacinamide brightens and balances, while collagen, squalane, and adenosine work together to contribute to a hydrated, bouncier-looking complexion.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
Discreetly in a back corner is the reception desk, and a large chandelier illuminates the fresh flower arrangements below.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Douglas Friedman’s upcoming monograph, Full Spectrum (Vendome Press), illuminates the extraordinary level of access the globe-trotting photographer has cultivated over the course of his career.—
Mayer Rus,
Architectural Digest,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lightens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lightens. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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