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Definitions

light up

VERB
brighten
Synonyms
STRONGEST
clear up enliven illuminate 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
illuminate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
brighten flash highlight spotlight
STRONG
fire floodlight ignite illume illumine irradiate kindle light lighten spot
WEAK
hit with a light limelight
Antonyms
STRONG
darken dull extinguish put out
WEAK
cloud complicate involve obscure
VERB
light
Synonyms
STRONGEST
brighten ignite kindle put on shine turn on
STRONG
animate cast fire flood floodlight highlight illume illumine inflame irradiate lighten limelight spot spotlight
WEAK
furnish with light make bright make visible switch on
Antonyms
STRONGEST
dull extinguish put out turn off
WEAK
darken drench mount obscure
VERB
lighten
Synonyms
STRONGEST
brighten
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
radiate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
beam diffuse diverge emanate emit gleam shine transmit
STRONG
afford broadcast circulate disseminate distribute expand glitter illumine irradiate issue pour proliferate propagate ramble ramify shed spread sprinkle strew yield
WEAK
branch out give out send out shoot out spread out throw out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
dull take
STRONG
collect conceal gather hide hold keep
VERB
twinkle
Synonyms
STRONGEST
blink flicker gleam glint glisten glitter glow illuminate shimmer sparkle wink
STRONG
coruscate flash light scintillate
Antonyms
STRONGEST
darken dull

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.

I felt something close to pride as I watched their eyes light up in realization: this was actually a very good sweet — not some leprechaunian trick.

From Salon • Mar. 17, 2026

The system features "smart" bricks able to light up or play sounds and react to movements.

From Barron's • Mar. 10, 2026

Reaching over to hug Bea, Chloe seems to light up when she can talk about other riders.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 10, 2026

Some 30 years on, Durde's eyes light up at the mention of his first coach Geoff O'Driscoll.

From BBC • Feb. 5, 2026

I watch Brian’s face light up at the sight of her and get seasick.

From "I'll Give You the Sun" by Jandy Nelson

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