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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of brighten
The wood-look bird stands 6 inches high, dims and brightens with just a touch, and can run for a whole week on its dimmest setting.
—
Miles Walls, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Apr. 2025
The Sam’s Club version of this spectacular cake would still lend itself well to Ina’s restaurant-worthy serving trick, which brightens the coconut with raspberry.
—Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 31 Mar. 2025
Each bedroom has windows to receive plenty of natural light and brighten the space.
—Katrina Cossey, Parents, 28 Mar. 2025
One of the shades is for your typical correcting, while the other is for brightening around your eyes.
—Annie Blackman, Allure, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brighten
Miles Walls, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Apr. 2025
The Sam’s Club version of this spectacular cake would still lend itself well to Ina’s restaurant-worthy serving trick, which brightens the coconut with raspberry.
—Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 31 Mar. 2025
Each bedroom has windows to receive plenty of natural light and brighten the space.
—Katrina Cossey, Parents, 28 Mar. 2025
One of the shades is for your typical correcting, while the other is for brightening around your eyes.
—Annie Blackman, Allure, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brighten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brighten
Verb
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Hyperlite further lightens the real-world load by splitting the 21.2-oz (601-g) tent body and 12.8-oz (363-g) poles into separate Dyneema stuff sacks so that each of the two campers can carry a part of it.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
23 Apr. 2025
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Zipline says Zips help lighten the load for delivery services, by sharing the work, not replacing drivers.—
Ella Gonzales,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The glowing pink nebula and snakelike dark clouds are the remnant of the birth site of the stars in the cluster.—
Alan Taylor,
The Atlantic,
28 Apr. 2025
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With its lightweight texture, glowing finish, and ability to safeguard against sun damage and hyperpigmentation, this has all the makings of a universally appealing sunscreen—and has quickly become a staple in my skin-care rotation.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The new Roger Dubuis Excalibur Grande Complication revives the signature bi-retrograde display and adds a flying tourbillon and a minute repeater for a full-on high-watchmaking spectacle. Passport: Explore the finest destinations and experiences around the world in the Forbes Passport newsletter.—
Carol Besler,
Forbes.com,
21 Apr. 2025
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Emergency crews were unable to revive him and he was pronounced dead at a hospital, officials said.—
Don Sweeney,
Miami Herald,
20 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Brighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brighten. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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