Definitions

lighten

[lahyt-n] / ˈlaɪt n /

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illuminate v.
reduce weight, load v.
cheer up; inspire v.

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.

See Examples For:

lighten

The repartee sparkles; the farcical touches lighten the tone.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2026

As the sky began to lighten over Israel's border with Gaza on Wednesday, the people of Kfar Aza moved silently towards the armoury at the centre of the kibbutz.

From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026

When you delegate to a person, your own burden can lighten, because part of your responsibility has gone elsewhere.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 15, 2026

Although the alleged activity in the Los Angeles dwelling wasn’t enough to send Madison packing, she has recently opened up about her desire to relocate to lighten the load on her coparenting situation.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 3, 2026

She didn’t dare get out to lighten the load.

From "A Girl Named Disaster" by Nancy Farmer

lighten

Example Sentences

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