brightened; brightening
ˈbrīt-niŋ 
ˈbrī-tᵊn-iŋ
1
: to make bright or brighter
you brightened my day
2
: to enhance or intensify the flavor of (food) especially by adding an acidic element (such as citrus juice or vinegar)
Crisp lemon slices brighten smoky bacon and rosemary-infused trout.—
Melissa Roberts-Matar
Melissa Roberts-Matar
Examples of brighten in a Sentence
He brightened the picture on the television.
Flowers can brighten any room.
The good news brightened her mood.
The sky brightened after the storm.
Business prospects brightened last month.
Her face brightened in relief when she heard that he was not hurt.
Recent Examples on the Web
Teal accessories brighten the look. 04 of 14 Periwinkle + White + Silver
Teaming pale blue with white is a no-fail formula for a soothing bathroom.
—Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Apr. 2024
As such, this multitasker consolidates the essential steps of an ideal morning skin-care routine—think brightening serum, hydration, and sunscreen—with just a few pumps.
—Kathleen Suico, Allure, 13 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for brighten 
Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Apr. 2024
As such, this multitasker consolidates the essential steps of an ideal morning skin-care routine—think brightening serum, hydration, and sunscreen—with just a few pumps.
—Kathleen Suico, Allure, 13 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for brighten
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'brighten.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Brighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brighten. Accessed 4 May. 2024.
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