as in brightens
to become glad or hopeful
the patient lightened when he heard the disease responds well to treatment
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in illumines
to supply with light
the room was gradually lightened by the rising sun
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Recent Examples of lightens
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
The vibe lightens fast as Aquarius season begins on January 19th, activating your sector of expansion, travel, education, and big-picture thinking.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 18 Jan. 2026
Verb
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
The vibe lightens fast as Aquarius season begins on January 19th, activating your sector of expansion, travel, education, and big-picture thinking.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 18 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lightens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lightens. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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