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Definitions

brighten

[brahyt-n] / ˈbraɪt n /
VERB
make shine or glow
Synonyms
STRONGEST
clear up enliven illuminate light up lighten
STRONG
burnish gleam illumine intensify kindle polish
WEAK
buff up grow sunny punch up spiff up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
complicate darken dull
WEAK
deepen depress fade upset
VERB
make happy, feel better
Synonyms
STRONGEST
clear up enliven improve perk up
STRONG
cheer encourage gladden hearten
WEAK
become cheerful buck up buoy up cheer up look up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
worsen
STRONG
bring down depress discourage dishearten dissuade
WEAK
darken deepen dull fade upset

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.

If you’ve wondered, Where the heck is this game being shown, I can’t find it anywhere, and I am going to start screaming at my pets, this news may brighten your day.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

If fresh ice was exposed, why did the comet not brighten right away?

From Science Daily • Mar. 21, 2026

"Through some of the darkest days of my career, with his infectious smile he would walk in and brighten up every single day."

From BBC • Feb. 16, 2026

In the bedroom, rather than doing their best to brighten up the room, which is small and has only one window, Adams and Tolles leaned into the room’s cavernous energy and painted it dark blue.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 4, 2026

The light was warm, promising more temperate weather in the near future, but even the sight of robins scrabbling for worms couldn’t brighten Ophie’s mood.

From "Ophie's Ghosts" by Justina Ireland