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-MatarExamples 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
Namely, the creamy remoulade that also stars Duke’s, plus briny capers, savory anchovies and Worcestershire sauce, zippy mustard, and a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten things up.
—Karla Walsh, Southern Living, 13 Feb. 2026
Both are apt choices for brightening your everyday ensembles and signaling to passerby your globetrotting tendencies.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 11 Feb. 2026
Her ability to observe and relate her observations and insights with clarity brightened the pages of various publications over many years.
—Lisa Boone, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Despite Martin’s rough start in the job, the party’s spirits had brightened considerably after November 4, when Democrats scored double-digit wins in the Virginia and New Jersey governor’s races.
—Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for brighten
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Karla Walsh, Southern Living, 13 Feb. 2026
Both are apt choices for brightening your everyday ensembles and signaling to passerby your globetrotting tendencies.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 11 Feb. 2026
Her ability to observe and relate her observations and insights with clarity brightened the pages of various publications over many years.
—Lisa Boone, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Despite Martin’s rough start in the job, the party’s spirits had brightened considerably after November 4, when Democrats scored double-digit wins in the Virginia and New Jersey governor’s races.
—Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for brighten
Cite this Entry
“Brighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brighten. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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