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.

Starmer is also expected to announce measures to lighten regulations on business.

From Barron's

He told family members that Diet Coke was responsible for his longevity, lightening the mood.

From The Wall Street Journal

Lawmakers crafted the deduction to lighten the tax burden of seniors with fixed incomes and higher medical costs, said Michael Levy, a partner at accounting firm Crowe’s tax group.

From MarketWatch

We were heartened to find that this mail-order boom is providing a proliferation of excellent options just as time-stressed home cooks are looking to lighten the holiday-hosting load, or outsource it entirely.

From The Wall Street Journal

During this time, the part-time indie author was writing a novel with dark psychological themes so to lighten the mood, he started making War & Peace irreverent and funny.

From BBC

lighten

Example Sentences

Related Words