as in lightening
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 brightening
Planetary scientists estimate that by about a billion years after the solar system’s birth, the gradually brightening sun would have been able to efficiently vaporize any liquid water on Venus.
—
Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
Fairmont Hotel Vancouver Fairmont Hotel Vancouver Four-Star Fairmont Hotel Vancouver is brightening the seasons throughout the year with a series of special events.
—Carolyn Heller, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Several bright craters are visible brightening the dark lunar maria that cover swathes of the lunar surface, with impact ejecta streaking outward from some of the younger sites.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Support her post-grad skin with brightening serums, refillable lipsticks, and edge-control that actually holds during interviews and celebrations.
—Larry Stansbury, Essence, 5 Sep. 2025
Packed with brightening vitamin C, moisturizing vitamin E, and hyaluronic acid, Clinique’s Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator delivers deep hydration while still feeling super lightweight and refreshing.
—Allure, 30 Aug. 2025
From that happy incident emerged the brand’s Pitera complex rich in peptides, vitamins, and minerals—responsible for hydrating and brightening the skin.
—Deanna Pai, Vogue, 24 Aug. 2025
Ranging at a friendly $5 apiece, these jungle-in-a-can creations are perfect for brightening your windowsill, adorning the kitchen, or gifting to the plant-curious.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Aug. 2025
But brightening our week was the video and picture submissions from Newsweek readers of their pets.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Aug. 2025
Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
Fairmont Hotel Vancouver Fairmont Hotel Vancouver Four-Star Fairmont Hotel Vancouver is brightening the seasons throughout the year with a series of special events.
—Carolyn Heller, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Several bright craters are visible brightening the dark lunar maria that cover swathes of the lunar surface, with impact ejecta streaking outward from some of the younger sites.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Support her post-grad skin with brightening serums, refillable lipsticks, and edge-control that actually holds during interviews and celebrations.
—Larry Stansbury, Essence, 5 Sep. 2025
Packed with brightening vitamin C, moisturizing vitamin E, and hyaluronic acid, Clinique’s Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator delivers deep hydration while still feeling super lightweight and refreshing.
—Allure, 30 Aug. 2025
From that happy incident emerged the brand’s Pitera complex rich in peptides, vitamins, and minerals—responsible for hydrating and brightening the skin.
—Deanna Pai, Vogue, 24 Aug. 2025
Ranging at a friendly $5 apiece, these jungle-in-a-can creations are perfect for brightening your windowsill, adorning the kitchen, or gifting to the plant-curious.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Aug. 2025
But brightening our week was the video and picture submissions from Newsweek readers of their pets.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brightening
Verb
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This treatment also includes a lightening agent to help fade sun and age spots from the delicate skin of your hands, or a summer spent planted firmly in the sun.—
Tanya Akim,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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The controversial skin-lightening agent is banned in the EU, Australia, and Japan.—
Keyaira Boone,
Essence,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Inside, the minimalist lobby doubles as a gallery, and the in-house restaurant, The Hive, is dripping with sculptures of glowing honeycombs, kudzu vines, and swarms of bees.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
15 Sep. 2025
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The mural, which took nearly three years to complete, features glowing, starry skies punctuated by larger-than-life characters and magical landscapes that don’t exist in our realm.—
Devorah Lev-Tov,
AFAR Media,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Given the negligible genetic difference between the quagga and the plains zebra, selective breeding with the goal of reduced striping was the project’s best shot at reviving the phenotype.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
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While there was an emphasis on reviving coffee culture, café culture was also redeveloping.—
Kristina McGuirk,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Brightening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brightening. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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