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
This serum has a type of vitamin C known as 3 O ascorbic acid, which works wonders in brightening your skin.
—Hyphensocial Contributors, Rolling Stone, 25 Oct. 2024
While white is traditionally used for brightening up a space, the use of white flowers can also emulate a moody small-town feel.
—Isabella Milano, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Oct. 2024
This ingredient cocktail comes together to brighten and even tone, plump, and reduce sagging along the under-eye.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 16 Oct. 2024
The deal with Equinor marks one of the most prominent endorsements of the beleaguered offshore wind industry in years, just as falling interest rates and easing supply chain bottlenecks brighten the outlook for renewable technology key to Europe’s climate goals.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune Europe, 8 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for brighten 
Hyphensocial Contributors, Rolling Stone, 25 Oct. 2024
While white is traditionally used for brightening up a space, the use of white flowers can also emulate a moody small-town feel.
—Isabella Milano, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Oct. 2024
This ingredient cocktail comes together to brighten and even tone, plump, and reduce sagging along the under-eye.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 16 Oct. 2024
The deal with Equinor marks one of the most prominent endorsements of the beleaguered offshore wind industry in years, just as falling interest rates and easing supply chain bottlenecks brighten the outlook for renewable technology key to Europe’s climate goals.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune Europe, 8 Oct. 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 30 Oct. 2024.
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