as in lightens
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 brightens
The lightweight gel-cream sinks in fast, while niacinamide brightens and smooths over time.
—
Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 12 Sep. 2025
Via a cocktail of vitamin C and the antioxidant properties of ferulic acid and vitamin E, this Vogue Verified vitamin C serum delivers environmental protection, reduces fine lines and wrinkles, improves firmness, and brightens.
—Akili King, Vogue, 10 Sep. 2025
While the former depuffs and brightens the under-eye region on days when you’re deprived of zzzs, the latter takes advantage of orange peptides, pomegranate spheres, and hyaluronic acid to further smooth the skin.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2025
Phlur Vanilla Skin Natural Deodorant Phlur deodorant contains skincare including salicylic acid, which neutralizes odor-causing bacteria and brightens underarm discoloration.
—Kristen Philipkoski, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
In their bleak prison cell, Luis (Tonatiuh) brightens Valentín’s (Luna) days with memories of a splendid movie musical starring a larger-than-life diva named Ingrid Luna (Lopez).
—Tolly Wright, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2025
But seeing the children in the shelter − along with the Red Cross staff − brightens her spirit.
—Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Stephanie said this brightens the day for herself and Patrick, but also for others who see the animal friends hanging out together.
—Rick Mauch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2025
The colorful evergreen foliage provides a warm winter welcome in porch planters and brightens patios all year long.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 26 Aug. 2025
Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 12 Sep. 2025
Via a cocktail of vitamin C and the antioxidant properties of ferulic acid and vitamin E, this Vogue Verified vitamin C serum delivers environmental protection, reduces fine lines and wrinkles, improves firmness, and brightens.
—Akili King, Vogue, 10 Sep. 2025
While the former depuffs and brightens the under-eye region on days when you’re deprived of zzzs, the latter takes advantage of orange peptides, pomegranate spheres, and hyaluronic acid to further smooth the skin.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2025
Phlur Vanilla Skin Natural Deodorant Phlur deodorant contains skincare including salicylic acid, which neutralizes odor-causing bacteria and brightens underarm discoloration.
—Kristen Philipkoski, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
In their bleak prison cell, Luis (Tonatiuh) brightens Valentín’s (Luna) days with memories of a splendid movie musical starring a larger-than-life diva named Ingrid Luna (Lopez).
—Tolly Wright, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2025
But seeing the children in the shelter − along with the Red Cross staff − brightens her spirit.
—Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Stephanie said this brightens the day for herself and Patrick, but also for others who see the animal friends hanging out together.
—Rick Mauch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2025
The colorful evergreen foliage provides a warm winter welcome in porch planters and brightens patios all year long.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 26 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brightens
Verb
-
By the weekend, the Gemini moon lightens the mood, bringing opportunities for travel, study, or simply laughter with friends.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
7 Sep. 2025
-
The propeller steering mechanism also simplifies and lightens the mounting hardware, adding to total weight savings, and allows multiple outboards to be mounted closer together.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Its central glass dome—home to the swimming paradise—glows like a lantern at dusk.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
At the absolute highest energies, the Moon glows with a light all its own, powered by nuclear recoils, and irrespective of any light, or anything at all, emitted by the Sun.—
Ethan Siegel,
Big Think,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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For the occasion, de Caunes revives one of his popular characters, a diehard redneck rock ’n’ roll fan whose taste for tall tales is matched only by his genuine devotion to music.—
Lily Templeton,
Footwear News,
2 Sep. 2025
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By injecting concentrated algae into soil through local irrigation systems, the company revives barren land into fertile ground.—
Afdhel Aziz,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Brightens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brightens. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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