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 adobe floors, crackling fireplace, and cozy velvet couches set a comforting scene, while glass vases of fresh red and yellow carnations brighten the space.
—
Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 5 June 2025
Outside, traditional white wood shutters line the doors and windows, brightening up the stone exterior.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 5 June 2025
Below the artwork, fresh plantings of pincushion protea flowers in a rainbow of colors dot a linear garden, brightening up a path students and teachers will walk every day.
—Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 June 2025
Dimensions Pendant lights come in all shapes, sizes, and silhouettes with designs large enough to brighten a soaring entryway, like the Gala Wide Pendant Light, or pint-sized task pendants perfect for creating a moody bedside reading light like the Rodarte One-Light Pendant.
—Maria Conti, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for brighten
Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 5 June 2025
Outside, traditional white wood shutters line the doors and windows, brightening up the stone exterior.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 5 June 2025
Below the artwork, fresh plantings of pincushion protea flowers in a rainbow of colors dot a linear garden, brightening up a path students and teachers will walk every day.
—Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 June 2025
Dimensions Pendant lights come in all shapes, sizes, and silhouettes with designs large enough to brighten a soaring entryway, like the Gala Wide Pendant Light, or pint-sized task pendants perfect for creating a moody bedside reading light like the Rodarte One-Light Pendant.
—Maria Conti, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for brighten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brighten
Verb
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While some Democrats are looking to lighten the bureaucratic load, Trump and his congressional allies see it as an effective way to achieve their goal of barring low- and middle-income households from accessing government assistance.—
Howard Gleckman,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2025
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When friendships implode: Elon Musk says Trump 'would have lost the election' Social media reacts to Trump, Musk feud While there are some serious claims being thrown around, the internet attempted to lighten the mood with jokes − even some fellow politicians chimed in.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
6 June 2025
Verb
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Some shoppers are leaving glowing reviews to go with their five-star ratings.—
Isabel Garcia,
People.com,
14 June 2025
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Another bit of seasonal magic: On Vieques, an island off the coast of Puerto Rico, the bioluminescent Mosquito Bay glows brightest from June to August, and the calm waters are ideal for kayaking.—
Laura Begley Bloom,
AFAR Media,
13 June 2025
Verb
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In recent years, critics like White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller have revived the concept of reverse discrimination.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
6 June 2025
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Her outfit not only revived a late ’90s Mugler design, but the little black dress also nodded to an ongoing trend of creative takes on the wardrobe staple.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
5 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Brighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brighten. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
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