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Definitions

lighten up

VERB
relent
Synonyms
STRONGEST
acquiesce capitulate cave in come around comply ease off give in give up let go quit relax slacken soften subside
STRONG
drop ease ebb fall fold forbear melt moderate slow wane weaken yield
WEAK
be merciful change one's mind cool it cry uncle die away ease up on give quarter give some slack give way go along with go easy on have mercy have pity lay back let it happen mellow out say uncle show mercy
Antonyms
STRONGEST
grow increase worry
STRONG
advance ascend continue free rise
WEAK
build

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

From Barron's • Feb. 19, 2026

Or did the embrace of “Rocky” and “Jaws” mean that audiences wanted their movies to lighten up?

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 18, 2025

"Any attempts to lighten up, a smile and a laugh are quickly met by regret and guilt," they said.

From BBC • Jan. 23, 2025

No, this is more the fatigue of frustration — I want to like this show so much but it refuses to lighten up enough to let me in.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 5, 2024

But Owen had been so busy clowning around to get George to lighten up that he’d forgotten to grab the shotgun from the snowmobile.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz

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