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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of brighten
Shelia’s Social Security checks and Supplemental Security Income fall short of covering the costs of items that would improve and brighten their lives.
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John Johnston, The Enquirer, 13 Dec. 2024
When Lisa Gulley, 60, went into hospital in November for emergency surgery, her sister, Laura Prill, 56, from Ohio, knew that a flower arrangement would brighten her day.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
Between 2018 and 2020, for instance, the telescope spotted a slight color change in Saturn’s central band, which brightened by around 5 to 10 percent.
—Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 12 Dec. 2024
Whether it’s paired with warming spices like cinnamon and clove, brightened with citrus, or softened with sweet ingredients like honey or cranberry, gin brings a balance that feels both seasonal and sophisticated.
—Emily Price, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for brighten 
John Johnston, The Enquirer, 13 Dec. 2024
When Lisa Gulley, 60, went into hospital in November for emergency surgery, her sister, Laura Prill, 56, from Ohio, knew that a flower arrangement would brighten her day.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
Between 2018 and 2020, for instance, the telescope spotted a slight color change in Saturn’s central band, which brightened by around 5 to 10 percent.
—Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 12 Dec. 2024
Whether it’s paired with warming spices like cinnamon and clove, brightened with citrus, or softened with sweet ingredients like honey or cranberry, gin brings a balance that feels both seasonal and sophisticated.
—Emily Price, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for brighten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brighten
Verb
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Named after the wintry European region, the Scandinavian hairline refers to a dyeing technique that lightens the wispy, fine strands that frame your face.Hannah Malach, WWD, 19 Dec. 2024
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Here’s how your credit card can lighten the load this holiday season.Erika Kullberg, USA TODAY, 15 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Illuminated by more than two million lights, this beloved Cincinnati tradition features larger-than-life Christmas trees, glowing snowflakes, dancing candy canes, tunnels of light and more.Jordan Kellogg, The Enquirer, 21 Dec. 2024
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Twin lobes of super-hot gas, glowing blue in this image, stretch outward from the central star.Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 21 Dec. 2024
Verb
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This past April, O’Grady won a prestigious Guggenheim Fellowship, which was to support a new performance art piece reviving an old character from her past work.Benjamin Sutton, CNN, 16 Dec. 2024
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That was just one of several costly acquisitions likely to be unwound as the company struggles to revive itself.The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 15 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near brighten
Cite this Entry
“Brighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brighten. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
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