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Showing results for lighten.
Definitions

lighten

[lahyt-n] / ˈlaɪt n /
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.

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

Louise says she was happy to help lighten the load.

From BBC • Feb. 3, 2026

The EU is also now working to lighten regulatory burdens that European companies say hurt their global competitiveness, although results aren’t yet clear.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 28, 2025

The museum’s billowing forms, which help lighten its considerable scale, were realized via head-spinning structural complexity: None of its 3,600 glass panels are the same, while each timber and steel supporting beam is curved uniquely.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 5, 2025

Liyana knew he was trying to lighten the atmosphere, but a huge babble broke loose.

From "Habibi" by Naomi Shihab Nye

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