lighten 1 of 2

verb (1)

Definition of lightennext
as in to brighten
to become glad or hopeful the patient lightened when he heard the disease responds well to treatment

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

lighten

2 of 2

verb (2)

ˈlī-tᵊn How to pronounce lighten (audio)
as in to illumine
to supply with light the room was gradually lightened by the rising sun

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How is the word lighten different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of lighten are allay, alleviate, assuage, mitigate, and relieve. While all these words mean "to make something less grievous," lighten implies reducing a burdensome or depressing weight.

good news would lighten our worries

When can allay be used instead of lighten?

The meanings of allay and lighten largely overlap; however, allay implies an effective calming or soothing of fears or alarms.

allayed their fears

Where would alleviate be a reasonable alternative to lighten?

The words alleviate and lighten can be used in similar contexts, but alleviate implies temporary or partial lessening of pain or distress.

the lotion alleviated the itching

In what contexts can assuage take the place of lighten?

The synonyms assuage and lighten are sometimes interchangeable, but assuage implies softening or sweetening what is harsh or disagreeable.

ocean breezes assuaged the intense heat

When would mitigate be a good substitute for lighten?

While in some cases nearly identical to lighten, mitigate suggests a moderating or countering of the effect of something violent or painful.

the need to mitigate barbaric laws

When is relieve a more appropriate choice than lighten?

The words relieve and lighten are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, relieve implies a lifting of enough of a burden to make it tolerable.

took an aspirin to relieve the pain

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of lighten
Verb
By the weekend, the Gemini moon lightens the mood, bringing opportunities for travel, study, or simply laughter with friends. —Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 7 Sep. 2025 Feed The Soul Turning on the oven is the best way to welcome a new neighbor or lighten the load when someone is going through a tough time. —Libby Monteith Minor, Southern Living, 7 Sep. 2025 Decades later, when pollution let up, their wings lightened again. —Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 7 Sep. 2025 Middleton and Payne-Ferebee suggest adding layers of gold and copper shimmer to lighten the colors up while the sun is still beating down. —Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 6 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lighten

Browse Nearby Words

light bulbs
lighten
lightened
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Cite this Entry

“Lighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lighten. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of lighten for Spanish Speakers

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