brighten

verb

ˈbrī-tᵊn How to pronounce brighten (audio)
Definition of brightennext
as in to lighten
to become glad or hopeful the glum soccer player started to brighten upon being told that his injury would not jeopardize his career

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 brighten For many Redditors, the image was a reminder of how small acts of kindness can brighten someone's day, so the thread was soon filled with comments praising the driver's creativity and thoughtfulness. — William Lambers, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025 Listen to this article An urgent email notification from the Chicago White Sox appeared on my phone, immediately brightening up a rainy Tuesday morning. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2025 Just add water and watch the powder transform into a bouncy mask that brightens and hydrates. — Maria Correa, Miami Herald, 3 Mar. 2025 Ahead, the 10 best kojic acid products to brighten and clear your skin. — Deanna Pai, Allure, 12 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for brighten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brighten
  1. lighten
  2. glow
  3. revive
Verb
  • View 9 Images View gallery - 9 images Following the recent launch of the impressive, all-new X-Dome series, Durston has burrowed back in the workshop to tweak and lighten some of its already-svelte existing tent models.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Mar. 2025
  • There’s a lot of levity here as well, to lighten the mood amid all the shootouts.
    — Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of lighten
Verb
  • Everything about this adaptation is radiant — from Cinderella’s glowing blue ballgown to the heartrending relationship between the Prince (a dashing Richard Madden) and his aging father (Branagh favorite Derek Jacobi).
    — Staff Author, EW.com, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Smoke blew around the crater with weak to moderate pressure and firelight was seen at the peak, indicating that the glowing volcanic material was at a shallow depth.
    — arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 22 Mar. 2025
Definition of glow
Verb
  • The Trump administration has revived almost every negative stereotype that Europeans have about Americans: too loud, too brash, too big.
    — Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Scientists have already revived 30,000-year-old viruses from permafrost in Siberia—ones that were still infectious, though only to amoebas.
    — Scott Travers, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of revive

Browse Nearby Words

bright
brighten
brightened
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Cite this Entry

“Brighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brighten. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of brighten for Spanish Speakers

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