as in illuminated
filled with much light
the brightened room is now a much more cheerful place for the recuperating patients
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in lightened
to become glad or hopeful
the glum soccer player started to brighten upon being told that his injury would not jeopardize his career
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of brightened
Becky Duffett, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
An early morning may be brightened with a cup of chai, which is rich in caffeine and has bold, spiced flavors.
—Ayesha Gulzar, Verywell Health, 20 Jan. 2026
The flood of geopolitical headlines to start 2026 has brightened the outlook for gold and silver, even after last year’s massive run-up for all precious metals.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 14 Jan. 2026
Leighton Meester brightened things up in a custom strapless Miu Miu column gown fully hand-embroidered with lavender paillettes and crystals.
—Kevin Huynh, InStyle, 11 Jan. 2026
Similar to cherry mocha, Kaeding says a wine brunette will have that dark base that is slightly brightened by a deeper red or copper tint.
—Audrey Noble, Vogue, 31 Dec. 2025
The policy brightened hopes among borrowers eager for lower payments.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 12 Dec. 2025
Jeff Pointer leaned against the green Mosier Valley Park sign as the afternoon sun brightened the park on the northeast side of Fort Worth.
—Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Dec. 2025
Miami sharpened his approach to Japanese-Peruvian cooking—ceviche brightened with local citrus, leche de tigre layered with heat.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 7 Dec. 2025
Verb
The tomato broth should be aromatic and sippable, often brightened with white wine, fennel, and fragrant herbs.
—Becky Duffett, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
An early morning may be brightened with a cup of chai, which is rich in caffeine and has bold, spiced flavors.
—Ayesha Gulzar, Verywell Health, 20 Jan. 2026
The flood of geopolitical headlines to start 2026 has brightened the outlook for gold and silver, even after last year’s massive run-up for all precious metals.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 14 Jan. 2026
Leighton Meester brightened things up in a custom strapless Miu Miu column gown fully hand-embroidered with lavender paillettes and crystals.
—Kevin Huynh, InStyle, 11 Jan. 2026
Similar to cherry mocha, Kaeding says a wine brunette will have that dark base that is slightly brightened by a deeper red or copper tint.
—Audrey Noble, Vogue, 31 Dec. 2025
The policy brightened hopes among borrowers eager for lower payments.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 12 Dec. 2025
Jeff Pointer leaned against the green Mosier Valley Park sign as the afternoon sun brightened the park on the northeast side of Fort Worth.
—Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Dec. 2025
Miami sharpened his approach to Japanese-Peruvian cooking—ceviche brightened with local citrus, leche de tigre layered with heat.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 7 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brightened
Adjective
-
A good deal Pitching your restaurant to the masses these days usually involves social media, particularly Instagram and TikTok, where carefully constructed and perfectly illuminated images sell the product.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Between scenes, for instance, the illuminated proscenium blinks ominously, as if in code.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The crowds have lightened over the decades, but the game endures.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
McGregor says, having swapped the black finish for an earthy green that lightened the visual weight of the piece.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Coughlan glowed in Penelope's wedding dress and shared a look with her husband-to-be, Colin.—
Sophie Dodd,
PEOPLE,
29 Jan. 2026
-
DeVanté’s mythical aura glowed so brightly that even future stars struggled to get noticed.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Hodgson previously revived the show via a Kickstarter campaign in 2015, with Seasons 11 and 12 airing on Netflix, followed by a 13th season on the online streaming platform The Gizmoplex.—
Joe Otterson,
Variety,
3 Feb. 2026
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Thirty years ago, the firestorm over a 21-day shutdown revived Bill Clinton's presidency and grievously wounded Newt Gingrich's speakership.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Closely following Ford's spinoff of the Transit Custom line as a lighter, more passenger car-like FWD van alternative sized to compete with midsize vans like the Volkswagen Transporter and Citroën Berlingo, the Nugget slid over to the smaller, more efficient van platform.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
29 Jan. 2026
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These hues are complemented by light gray furniture and pops of green via various houseplants.—
Lennie Omalza,
Louisville Courier Journal,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Following Pretti’s death on January 24, scores of protesters have taken to the streets, armed with cell phones and bright orange whistles, as local officials implore Minnesotans to continue documenting ICE operations.—
Sophia Peyser,
CNN Money,
2 Feb. 2026
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Sunday, February 1, marked the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, when the best and brightest in the music industry gathered in Los Angeles to fête the greatest albums and performances of the last year.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
2 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brightened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brightened. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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