as in to brighten
to become glad or hopeful
the patient lightened when he heard the disease responds well to treatment
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as in to illumine
to supply with light
the room was gradually lightened by the rising sun
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lighten
Matthew J. Slaughter, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
The utility believes additional connections will help lighten the average load for ratepayers by spreading the system’s costs among more customers.
—George Avalos, The Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2025
Typical periods tend to start heavier and lighten over a few days to a week.
—Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 23 Jan. 2025
Potential side effects include temporary darkening or lightening of the skin and persistent redness.
—Laura Schober, Health, 23 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lighten
Verb
To be fiscally prudent, the government should not lighten taxes on capital as a means of trying to boost productivity.
—Matthew J. Slaughter, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
The utility believes additional connections will help lighten the average load for ratepayers by spreading the system’s costs among more customers.
—George Avalos, The Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2025
Typical periods tend to start heavier and lighten over a few days to a week.
—Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 23 Jan. 2025
Potential side effects include temporary darkening or lightening of the skin and persistent redness.
—Laura Schober, Health, 23 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lighten
Cite this Entry
“Lighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lighten. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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