Showing results for brighten up. Search instead for brightened+up.

brighten up

VERB

cheer up

Synonyms

WEAK

brighten improve in mood improve in outlook improve in spirits perk up

VERB

satisfy

Synonyms

STRONGEST

amuse appease assuage delight elate entertain fascinate flatter gratify mollify placate

STRONG

animate befriend captivate capture cheer cloy comfort conciliate enliven enthrall exhilarate fill gladden glut gorge humor indulge pacify propitiate quench rejoice sate satiate score sell slake suit surfeit

WEAK

do the trick fill the bill get by hit the spot make merry make the grade sell on

Antonyms

STRONGEST

agitate annoy bore depress disappoint incite offend pain provoke tire trouble upset worry

STRONG

abstain deplete deprive diet discourage dissatisfy distress dull exhaust fast hurt irritate lose moderate

WEAK

anger discontent dissuade fail frustrate

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The ultimate blowback was the Ukraine War, but let’s brighten up.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 2026

The idea first came about after local man Robert Hicks asked if anything could be done to "brighten up the dark nights" in winter.

From BBC • Dec. 3, 2025

“The basis of both is you’re really just trying to understand another person and, ultimately, brighten up their day.”

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 25, 2025

She’s a known scene-stealer, so remarkably adept in front of the camera that she can brighten up anything she’s in, even if it’s only for a second.

From Salon • Jun. 9, 2025

Nan sewed those hems for my seventeenth year-fall, to brighten up my otherwise drab clothing.

From "An Ember in the Ashes" by Sabaa Tahir

brighten up

Example Sentences

Related Words