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
Going farther west, however, brightens the sky even more and anywhere west of a line from approximately central Michigan, going south through east-central Kentucky to the Gulf Coast will be bathed in full daylight.
—
Joe Rao, Space.com, 24 Apr. 2026
As a professional online shopper, nothing brightens up my day quite like scoring a budget-friendly haul.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
The fresh and light menu brightens up the day with dishes featuring local vegetables and fish from the Malaga coast, as well as old-school resort favorites like a fabulous club sandwich.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Every swipe gently refines and brightens over time, but your skin still feels calm, comfortable, and unbothered.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 22 Apr. 2026
Lush, vibrant and full of life, California Tropicals instantly brightens any space while adding fresh, feel-good energy.
—ABC News, 18 Apr. 2026
Eye cream brightens eyes and adds moisture back into your delicate skin.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 16 Apr. 2026
Eye cream brightens your eyes and adds hydration back into that delicate skin.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026
Eye cream brightens eyes and adds moisture back into that delicate skin.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2026
Joe Rao, Space.com, 24 Apr. 2026
As a professional online shopper, nothing brightens up my day quite like scoring a budget-friendly haul.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
The fresh and light menu brightens up the day with dishes featuring local vegetables and fish from the Malaga coast, as well as old-school resort favorites like a fabulous club sandwich.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Every swipe gently refines and brightens over time, but your skin still feels calm, comfortable, and unbothered.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 22 Apr. 2026
Lush, vibrant and full of life, California Tropicals instantly brightens any space while adding fresh, feel-good energy.
—ABC News, 18 Apr. 2026
Eye cream brightens eyes and adds moisture back into your delicate skin.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 16 Apr. 2026
Eye cream brightens your eyes and adds hydration back into that delicate skin.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026
Eye cream brightens eyes and adds moisture back into that delicate skin.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brightens
Verb
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Classic options include any kind of home or personal service that lightens the load for someone else.—
Amy Lindgren,
Twin Cities,
25 Apr. 2026
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As the inspirational Moon glides into your 7th House of Allies, your expressive nature invites connection, and your generous spirit lightens tough conversations.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Even if other tracks on BASS2 don’t quite rise to the same level, the record glows with new confidence.—
Harry Tafoya,
Pitchfork,
24 Apr. 2026
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There’s a Mooi wallcovering where extinct animals hide within jungle fauna in one and a freestanding Aura by Antoniolupi sink that glows translucent yellow in the other.—
Sandra Barrera,
Oc Register,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As Ukrainians mark the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, last year’s Russian drone attack revives safety concerns.—
Hanna Arhirova,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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In a state where cask beers have faded, Wren House revives a cool fringe beer tradition.—
Chris Malloy,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brightens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brightens. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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