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
Consult your dermatologist to determine the best treatment for you, but products containing Vitamin C or Niacinamide can help brighten the skin.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 29 May 2024
Along with its broad spectrum SPF 30 inclusion, Maybelline promises to brighten, blur, hydrate, smooth, and enhance your complexion with this product.
—Dorian Smith-Garcia, Parents, 27 May 2024
At the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth’s 2024 commencement on May 16, one of the ceremony’s speakers, Robert Hale Jr., brightened up the rainy day with a special surprise for the crop of 1,200 graduates.
—Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 18 May 2024
The canine phenom helped brighten things up even as dark clouds gathered over the Palais des Festivals, site of Cannes’ biggest premieres.
—Ramin Setoodeh, Variety, 14 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for brighten 
Dominique Fluker, Essence, 29 May 2024
Along with its broad spectrum SPF 30 inclusion, Maybelline promises to brighten, blur, hydrate, smooth, and enhance your complexion with this product.
—Dorian Smith-Garcia, Parents, 27 May 2024
At the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth’s 2024 commencement on May 16, one of the ceremony’s speakers, Robert Hale Jr., brightened up the rainy day with a special surprise for the crop of 1,200 graduates.
—Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 18 May 2024
The canine phenom helped brighten things up even as dark clouds gathered over the Palais des Festivals, site of Cannes’ biggest premieres.
—Ramin Setoodeh, Variety, 14 May 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.
Dictionary Entries Near brighten
Cite this Entry
“Brighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brighten. Accessed 8 Jun. 2024.
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