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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Recent Examples of brighten
The picture does appear to be brightening somewhat for champagne, according to drinks newsletter Shanken News Daily.
—
Louise Schiavone, Forbes.com, 27 July 2025
Use both your green thumb and crafty side with these simple garden crafts designed to brighten up any outdoor space.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 July 2025
Meanwhile lactic acid, a gentle exfoliant, brightens the skin.
—Jessica Kasparian, SELF, 21 July 2025
Holding the door, offering a genuine compliment, or expressing gratitude can brighten someone else’s day and shift your own mindset in the process.
—William Arruda, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for brighten
Louise Schiavone, Forbes.com, 27 July 2025
Use both your green thumb and crafty side with these simple garden crafts designed to brighten up any outdoor space.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 July 2025
Meanwhile lactic acid, a gentle exfoliant, brightens the skin.
—Jessica Kasparian, SELF, 21 July 2025
Holding the door, offering a genuine compliment, or expressing gratitude can brighten someone else’s day and shift your own mindset in the process.
—William Arruda, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for brighten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brighten
Verb
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In addition, extremely high temperatures can force airlines to reduce the weight carried on planes, which in turn can cause flight delays and passengers being bumped to lighten the load.—
Suzanne Rowan Kelleher,
Forbes.com,
28 July 2025
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Simultaneously lighten your load and elevate your look with this sleek crossbody bag from Peacocktion.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
26 July 2025
Verb
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Head away from city lights around this time to hunt the glowing band of the Milky Way's core, which can be spotted during the summer months streaming towards the eastern horizon as dusk gives way to night in dark sky locations.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
2 Aug. 2025
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The spectacle produces about three meteors per hour; look for its shooting stars near the Eridanus constellation, which hangs low in the southeast sky August’s full sturgeon moon will glow in the southeast skies on Aug. 9, with Saturn nearby to the east.—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Travel + Leisure,
1 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The Brazilian famously walked to the site of Donnelly’s accident at Jerez and watched as the rescue teams fought to revive him on the track.—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
26 July 2025
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Weeks after the deal was announced, many Penn faculty members remain in limbo, unsure about which grants have been revived.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
26 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Brighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brighten. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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