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
Now, as March brightens into April, the half-dozen lawmakers charged with crafting that gargantuan document are nearly finished.
—
Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2026
This warm, reddish-brown MAC Eye Kohl Eyeliner Pencil instantly brightens and enhances the eyes, especially for those with green or hazel tones.
—Sarah Felbin, Allure, 30 Mar. 2026
The victory brightened Mathews’ mood.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 28 Mar. 2026
Vegan green curry, made with apples, coconut milk and a bit of miso — though more Thai than Japanese in palate — brightens roasted cauliflower ($18).
—Cesar Hernandez, San Francisco Chronicle, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for brighten
Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2026
This warm, reddish-brown MAC Eye Kohl Eyeliner Pencil instantly brightens and enhances the eyes, especially for those with green or hazel tones.
—Sarah Felbin, Allure, 30 Mar. 2026
The victory brightened Mathews’ mood.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 28 Mar. 2026
Vegan green curry, made with apples, coconut milk and a bit of miso — though more Thai than Japanese in palate — brightens roasted cauliflower ($18).
—Cesar Hernandez, San Francisco Chronicle, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for brighten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brighten
Verb
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This recipe takes the best of that approach by combining the two soups into one for something that’s creamy and substantial but still loaded with vegetables to lighten it up.—
Farideh Sadeghin,
Saveur,
2 Apr. 2026
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Your family will never know that this casserole is lightened-up for a healthier spin on the classic dinner dish.—
Patricia S York,
Southern Living,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Hundreds of monarch butterflies are painted across the translucent panels, and when sunlight shines through, the structure glows in rich amber tones.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Apr. 2026
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Steinfeld glowed in a gorgeous peachy-pink Prada gown covered in silver studs.—
Christina Perrier,
InStyle,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Now, a small group of RV industry professionals has revived the Prattline name and reinvented the Low Tow design with modern technology.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
29 Mar. 2026
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If Paxton secures the nomination, it will likely be driven by the unwavering support of the GOP’s grassroots base, the same coalition that helped revive his political standing after he was impeached and later acquitted on corruption charges by the Texas legislature three years ago.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brighten. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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