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
The set comes with 24 pairs of patches that are formulated with hydrating ingredients to brighten under eyes.
—Isabel Garcia, People.com, 2 Feb. 2025
Barber brightened up this dark mahogany, traditional office space with contemporary pieces, such as a lucite coffee table, mixed with antiques, reproductions, Rose Tarlow pieces, and the client’s collection of art.
—Dan Howarth, Architectural Digest, 30 Jan. 2025
Oxblood chairs brighten up a living room in Buenos Aires, Argentina by Kallos Turin.
—Elise Taylor, Vogue, 30 Jan. 2025
Combined with AHAs like lactic acid, this product eases the look of fine lines and brightens skin quickly but gently, within weeks of use.
—R29 Team, refinery29.com, 29 Jan. 2025
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Isabel Garcia, People.com, 2 Feb. 2025
Barber brightened up this dark mahogany, traditional office space with contemporary pieces, such as a lucite coffee table, mixed with antiques, reproductions, Rose Tarlow pieces, and the client’s collection of art.
—Dan Howarth, Architectural Digest, 30 Jan. 2025
Oxblood chairs brighten up a living room in Buenos Aires, Argentina by Kallos Turin.
—Elise Taylor, Vogue, 30 Jan. 2025
Combined with AHAs like lactic acid, this product eases the look of fine lines and brightens skin quickly but gently, within weeks of use.
—R29 Team, refinery29.com, 29 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for brighten
Dictionary Entries Near brighten
Cite this Entry
“Brighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brighten. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
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