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Showing results for brighten. Search instead for hauptberichten.
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 fresh ice was exposed, why did the comet not brighten right away?

From Science Daily • Mar. 21, 2026

Finally, consider setting up what I think of as a zhush station — a small collection of ingredients that allow guests to brighten and customize what’s on their plate.

From Salon • Mar. 15, 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

Christmas trees still strung with lights brighten apartments during power cuts.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 26, 2026

I brighten and cling tight to the fact that we have something in common.

From "Dread Nation" by Justina Ireland

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.