Definitions

lighten

[lahyt-n] / ˈlaɪt n /

VERB

illuminate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

brighten light up

STRONG

flash gleam illume irradiate light shine

WEAK

become light make bright

Antonyms

STRONG

dull

WEAK

blacken bring down burden darken depress dim upset weigh down

VERB

reduce weight, load

Synonyms

STRONGEST

alleviate ameliorate cut down dilute ease facilitate lessen mitigate mollify relieve

STRONG

allay assuage attenuate buoy change comfort decrease disburden disencumber empty eradicate extenuate free jettison levitate reduce remove shift take thin unburden unload upraise

WEAK

make less make lighter pour out put off take a load off throw out uplight

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aggravate incite increase intensify irritate strengthen trouble upset worry worsen

STRONG

add expand fill fix grow hold keep plant provoke raise remain stay

WEAK

blacken bring down burden darken depress dim dull weigh down

VERB

cheer up; inspire

Synonyms

STRONGEST

brighten

STRONG

cheer elate encourage gladden hearten lift revive

WEAK

buoy up perk up take a load off

Antonyms

STRONG

bring down depress discourage dishearten dispirit dissuade

WEAK

blacken burden darken dim dull upset weigh down

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.

So every now and then he’d send a funny GIF to lighten the mood.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

So in my life, what I tend to say is, “OK, this story can probably lighten somebody’s ideology on what happened at this particular place.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 25, 2026

If individual investors and large institutions collectively decide to lighten up on their dollars, it will leave a mark.

From Barron's • Feb. 19, 2026

So I started to live by this, I started to lighten up.”

From MarketWatch • Feb. 10, 2026

I felt as if I were gazing into the future: Aunt Kitty looked like a cranky old matron, which was exactly what she was headed for if she didn’t start to lighten up.

From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan

lighten

Example Sentences

Related Words