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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.

But for some critics, his attempt to lighten the mood hasn't worked.

From BBC • Feb. 25, 2026

So in my life, what I tend to say is, “OK, this story can probably lighten somebody’s ideology on what happened at this particular place.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 25, 2026

So I started to live by this, I started to lighten up.”

From MarketWatch • Feb. 10, 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

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

From "A Girl Named Disaster" by Nancy Farmer