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

The storms that battered the Hill Country for the last four days began to lighten up, although isolated pockets of heavy rain were still possible.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 9, 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

I felt as if I were gazing into the future: Aunt Kitty looked like a cranky old matron, which was exactly what she was headed for if she didn’t start to lighten up.

From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan

lighten up

Example Sentences

Related Words