as in lightens
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 brightens
Adding whole lemons slices to a classic midnight pasta brightens the dish, giving it a juicy tang to all the salty, savory flavors in the pan.
—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate, Denver Post, 21 Oct. 2025
Ylang-ylang delivers antioxidant-rich radiance, while pure niacinamide brightens and refines texture.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 18 Oct. 2025
Understanding which bird species react to changes in light could be key as the world brightens due to the increasing presence of artificial light.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2025
Ample natural light from the floor-to-ceiling window on the far wall brightens the entire space.
—Lennie Omalza, Louisville Courier Journal, 9 Oct. 2025
Its formula, which has hydrating shea butter, brightens your complexion and evens out skin tone.
—Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
The powerful serum is formulated with vitamin C, licorice root extract, and a triple peptide complex that brightens and soothes the skin, all while improving elasticity and providing you with a refreshing, healthy glow.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 7 Oct. 2025
My favorite is Phlur’s Vanilla Skin deodorant, which is clinically tested to last 48 hours, doesn’t contain ingredients like aluminum or baking soda, and offers a skin-loving formula with BHA that brightens underarms.
—Brittany Leitner, StyleCaster, 1 Oct. 2025
Jon Clark’s no-place-to-hide lighting unnervingly brightens Beckett’s shadowy world but without losing its sense of dread, allowing both light and dark at the end of this infinite tunnel.
—Frank Rizzo, Variety, 29 Sep. 2025
The New York Times News Service Syndicate, Denver Post, 21 Oct. 2025
Ylang-ylang delivers antioxidant-rich radiance, while pure niacinamide brightens and refines texture.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 18 Oct. 2025
Understanding which bird species react to changes in light could be key as the world brightens due to the increasing presence of artificial light.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2025
Ample natural light from the floor-to-ceiling window on the far wall brightens the entire space.
—Lennie Omalza, Louisville Courier Journal, 9 Oct. 2025
Its formula, which has hydrating shea butter, brightens your complexion and evens out skin tone.
—Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
The powerful serum is formulated with vitamin C, licorice root extract, and a triple peptide complex that brightens and soothes the skin, all while improving elasticity and providing you with a refreshing, healthy glow.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 7 Oct. 2025
My favorite is Phlur’s Vanilla Skin deodorant, which is clinically tested to last 48 hours, doesn’t contain ingredients like aluminum or baking soda, and offers a skin-loving formula with BHA that brightens underarms.
—Brittany Leitner, StyleCaster, 1 Oct. 2025
Jon Clark’s no-place-to-hide lighting unnervingly brightens Beckett’s shadowy world but without losing its sense of dread, allowing both light and dark at the end of this infinite tunnel.
—Frank Rizzo, Variety, 29 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brightens
Verb
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That’s why engineers at The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) have developed a soft robotic exoskeleton that doesn’t just assist motion, but lightens the load, literally.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Oct. 2025
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Gently rub until the spot lightens.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The bar—made of white onyx—glows softly from within, inviting you to pull up a stool.—
Laura Itzkowitz,
Robb Report,
23 Oct. 2025
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In New York City, Emma Stone glows in green, and Maya Rudolph appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers.—
Lex Goldstein,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The venture, created in partnership with production companies KawanKawan Media and DW, revives the spirit of La Factory – a filmmaker incubator that ran at Directors’ Fortnight beginning in 2013.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
23 Oct. 2025
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Available in 10xLP and 8xCD editions via Columbia/Legacy, the reissue revives an album that has been out of print for three decades, according to a press release.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
6 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Brightens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brightens. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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