as in to lighten
to become glad or hopeful
the glum soccer player started to brighten upon being told that his injury would not jeopardize his career
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of brighten
When Thurston spoke about it, his voice brightened.
—
Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 18 Apr. 2025
Fiala has organized a hockey camp to help raise awareness and support for CHLA, part of his ongoing commitment to brightening the lives and improving the health of young people.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 15 Apr. 2025
Touched by their heartfelt reactions, their father, Vinh Phan, decided to organize recitals to brighten the holiday season in senior centers, nursing homes, and memory care centers.
—Rick Mauch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2025
Hudson's, and potentially Belichick's presence at the competition will only brighten the national spotlight on it.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brighten
Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 18 Apr. 2025
Fiala has organized a hockey camp to help raise awareness and support for CHLA, part of his ongoing commitment to brightening the lives and improving the health of young people.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 15 Apr. 2025
Touched by their heartfelt reactions, their father, Vinh Phan, decided to organize recitals to brighten the holiday season in senior centers, nursing homes, and memory care centers.
—Rick Mauch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2025
Hudson's, and potentially Belichick's presence at the competition will only brighten the national spotlight on it.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brighten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brighten
Verb
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And how can give gifts that truly lighten the mental load—instead of add to it?—
Beth Ann Mayer,
Parents,
8 May 2025
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Yet those very efficiency gains often spur heavier workloads rather than lighten them.—
Gerui Wang,
Forbes.com,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
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This pageant of puppetry includes a flutter of butterflies, a goat with a plaintive bleat, a menagerie of wild animals and, at one point, a school of glowing fish.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2025
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Reserve a late-afternoon session in the upstairs tasting room, order cheese and charcuterie, and watch the glowing sun set on the hills.—
Anya von Bremzen,
AFAR Media,
8 May 2025
Verb
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For the past five years, the PA Flax Project co-founder and CEO has been working to revive the flax-for-linen industry in Pennsylvania.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Sourcing Journal,
1 May 2025
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Cash is among those here hoping that President Trump’s promises to revive the coal industry’s fortunes after years of decline from cheaper natural gas, rising mining costs and environmental regulation will pan out.—
Chris Kenning,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Brighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brighten. Accessed 13 May. 2025.
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