brightened; brightening
ˈbrīt-niŋ 
ˈbrī-tᵊn-iŋ
1
: to make bright or brighter
you brightened my day
2
: to enhance or intensify the flavor of (food) especially by adding an acidic element (such as citrus juice or vinegar)
Crisp lemon slices brighten smoky bacon and rosemary-infused trout.—
Melissa Roberts-Matar
Melissa Roberts-MatarExamples of brighten in a Sentence
He brightened the picture on the television.
Flowers can brighten any room.
The good news brightened her mood.
The sky brightened after the storm.
Business prospects brightened last month.
Her face brightened in relief when she heard that he was not hurt.
Recent Examples on the Web
Use a cotton swab to work the treatment into seams and to brighten up vents, crevices and other irregular surfaces.
Passport: Explore the finest destinations and experiences around the world in the Forbes Passport newsletter.
—Jim Gorzelany, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
Casa Loewe’s golden facade brightens the Jing’an Kerry Center commercial district.
—WWD, 28 Feb. 2025
Acid, in this case in the form of apple cider vinegar, is added at the end to brighten the dish up and actually makes things taste more of themselves.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 26 Feb. 2025
Eucerin Radiant Tone Eye Cream Dark Circle Corrector Eucerin Radiant Tone Eye Cream Dark Circle Corrector instantly brightens and helps visibly correct the look of dark circles over time with regular use.
—Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brighten
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Jim Gorzelany, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
Casa Loewe’s golden facade brightens the Jing’an Kerry Center commercial district.
—WWD, 28 Feb. 2025
Acid, in this case in the form of apple cider vinegar, is added at the end to brighten the dish up and actually makes things taste more of themselves.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 26 Feb. 2025
Eucerin Radiant Tone Eye Cream Dark Circle Corrector Eucerin Radiant Tone Eye Cream Dark Circle Corrector instantly brightens and helps visibly correct the look of dark circles over time with regular use.
—Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brighten
Cite this Entry
“Brighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brighten. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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