brighten

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of brighten For many Redditors, the image was a reminder of how small acts of kindness can brighten someone's day, so the thread was soon filled with comments praising the driver's creativity and thoughtfulness. William Lambers, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025 Listen to this article An urgent email notification from the Chicago White Sox appeared on my phone, immediately brightening up a rainy Tuesday morning. Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2025 Just add water and watch the powder transform into a bouncy mask that brightens and hydrates. Maria Correa, Miami Herald, 3 Mar. 2025 Ahead, the 10 best kojic acid products to brighten and clear your skin. Deanna Pai, Allure, 12 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for brighten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brighten
Verb
  • View 9 Images View gallery - 9 images Following the recent launch of the impressive, all-new X-Dome series, Durston has burrowed back in the workshop to tweak and lighten some of its already-svelte existing tent models.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Mar. 2025
  • There’s a lot of levity here as well, to lighten the mood amid all the shootouts.
    Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 13 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Smoke blew around the crater with weak to moderate pressure and firelight was seen at the peak, indicating that the glowing volcanic material was at a shallow depth.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Everything about this adaptation is radiant — from Cinderella’s glowing blue ballgown to the heartrending relationship between the Prince (a dashing Richard Madden) and his aging father (Branagh favorite Derek Jacobi).
    Staff Author, EW.com, 22 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Carr, Trump's pick to lead the FCC, revived the complaint shortly after taking over.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Alessandro Michele revived this low-top, lace-up style in 2020, adding an archival label from the ’70s on the tongue, and keeping the textured GG sole, as well.
    Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 28 Mar. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Brighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brighten. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on brighten

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!