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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Recent Examples of brighten
The lighter hued varieties are perfect for brightening dark porches.
—
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 4 May 2026
Along my walkway and all over my neighborhood, nasturtium flowers are opening like bright orange suns, fragrant lavender is attracting buzzing bees, and rosemary bushes are beginning to brighten with baby blue flowers.
—Senior Food Editor, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2026
These plants, like most ferns, will brighten up your bathroom.
—Lauren Wellbank, Martha Stewart, 2 May 2026
Come grow your circle, and brighten someone’s day, too!
—Kris Slugg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for brighten
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 4 May 2026
Along my walkway and all over my neighborhood, nasturtium flowers are opening like bright orange suns, fragrant lavender is attracting buzzing bees, and rosemary bushes are beginning to brighten with baby blue flowers.
—Senior Food Editor, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2026
These plants, like most ferns, will brighten up your bathroom.
—Lauren Wellbank, Martha Stewart, 2 May 2026
Come grow your circle, and brighten someone’s day, too!
—Kris Slugg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for brighten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brighten
Verb
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For a while, we’re cheered at the prospect that Karl Urban might lighten the movie’s load with his meta ironic balsa-wood Don Johnson presence.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
6 May 2026
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Artificial intelligence that lightens burdens, cures disease, detects wildfire risk and improves infrastructure should be welcomed.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
Verb
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However, in the wild, the algae are the ocean’s introverts, and only glow when they are bothered, like jolted by a crashing wave or the hull of a passing boat.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
7 May 2026
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There’s an amulet (one of those glowing doohickeys the fate of the cosmos hangs on), and your heart may sink every time someone starts chattering about it.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
6 May 2026
Verb
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My manufacturing, industrial and economics background will be helpful to Congress and the administration in efforts to revive our economy.—
Kevin Fixler
May 3,
Idaho Statesman,
3 May 2026
-
Her campaign drew on the enduring support base associated with her father’s presidency, while also reviving deep divisions within Peruvian society.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brighten. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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